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What Causes Ridges In The Fingernails?

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Posted on Sat, 12 Aug 2017
Question: WHAT DOES IT INDICATE WHEN YOUR FINGERNAILS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE RIDGES IN THEM, MY FINGERNAILS DON'T FEEL SMOOTH. THEY HAVE RAISED LINES IN THEM. I DON'T USE NAIL POLISH, HAVEN'T HAD POLISH NAILS FOR ABOUT 2OYRS. THANKS CR
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Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
could be normal at this age

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the question.
It would have been good if you can attach an image of the nails.
Ridges on the finger nails are a common phenomenon that we observe in most older adults in 70's of age. Do you have it on all nails?
If it is confined to one or two of the nails it could be local issue of the nail which needs to be checked.
If you have on all the nails it is because of the dryness and the lack of the blood supply to the underlying nail bed which also supplies the nutrients to the nail.
Generally we think of nutritional issues like lack of Iron, Vitamin E etc in such a case.
I suggest to apply vaseline or petroleum jelly over the nails.
If you do not have any more queries please close our discussion here.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. V. N. S. Parinam

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 1727 Questions

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What Causes Ridges In The Fingernails?

Brief Answer: could be normal at this age Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the question. It would have been good if you can attach an image of the nails. Ridges on the finger nails are a common phenomenon that we observe in most older adults in 70's of age. Do you have it on all nails? If it is confined to one or two of the nails it could be local issue of the nail which needs to be checked. If you have on all the nails it is because of the dryness and the lack of the blood supply to the underlying nail bed which also supplies the nutrients to the nail. Generally we think of nutritional issues like lack of Iron, Vitamin E etc in such a case. I suggest to apply vaseline or petroleum jelly over the nails. If you do not have any more queries please close our discussion here.