Is there anything to be done about ridged nails?

[Chicchicchicchiclana]

I have deep ridges in my nails (as did my father) although they are strong and grow fast.

Is there anything I can eat (food or supplements) or paint on them that will improve them?

I'm following this thread. My balls have always been ridge free, but I've noticed they've become markedly ridged over the past few months. I don't know if it's diet, age, nutrition or what.

Ummmm, I meant to type nails. Not balls.

@Gazelda

Ummmm, I meant to type nails. Not balls.

This really made me laugh!

I have ridges in the same fingernail on both hands. They've been there for about twenty years so it was definitely not a bump or something I did, as manicurists have suggested.

I don't know what causes them -- a friend of mine was seeing a med student and my friend has the horizontal ridges too - he told her it's nail psoriasis and it's caused by a yeast intolerance. I have no idea if this is true or not as I didn't look into it.

The ridges don't bother me too much to be honest but it is strange how some of us have them and others simply don't...it'd make you wonder what causes it all right.

My ridges are vertical (I think) run from the nail bed to the tip of the nail, rather than across the nail. They have definitely got worse as I've got older.

My thumb nails were affected first, now it seems all my nails are.

I get ridged thumbnails because I scratch the cuticles when I'm stressed.

During furlough, I stopped being stressed and the ridges went away.

Mine are horizontal and are deep and very noticeable (I'm told!!). They were originally in both thumbs but I see they are in other finger-nails now too. Layering nail varnish tends to help conceal it but no idea how to stop it.

@Readingandrighting

I have ridges in the same fingernail on both hands. They've been there for about twenty years so it was definitely not a bump or something I did, as manicurists have suggested.

I don't know what causes them -- a friend of mine was seeing a med student and my friend has the horizontal ridges too - he told her it's nail psoriasis and it's caused by a yeast intolerance. I have no idea if this is true or not as I didn't look into it.

The ridges don't bother me too much to be honest but it is strange how some of us have them and others simply don't...it'd make you wonder what causes it all right.

Psoriasis is not caused by a yeast intolerance. Psoriasis can cause pitted nails, though I doubt that strong, ridged nails are anything to do with that. Hopefully, he stayed the course and learned his errors before being let loose on people with Psoriasis of any kind.

If it's still available, La Seche Ridge Filler is brilliant. If not, I'd think the only real option is to hide it with gel manicures (as they look perfect on my definitely Psoriasis affected nails).

I'm howling @Gazelda 😂

I'm sorry @Gazelda but that was so funny

I have vertical ridges on a few of my nails, no idea why but it might be genetic as my DM has them too.

I file mine down (def my nails not balls ouch) with a nail buffer but it does weaken them

Opened the thread for nail advice but I can't read it for laughing @Gazelda 's type

I love mine, have just noticed them forming recently. When I look at them they remind me of my mother's loving hands.

@nitgel
Mine are way too deep for buffing or filing.

@OnTheSafeSide
Yeah! It's nice to embrace them. As long as we're healthy and happy, a few nail ridges aren't the end of the world I suppose.

There is a link between vertical ridges and an underactive thyroid I believe.

hypothyroidmom.com/do-you-have-hypothyroidism-look-at-your-hands/

Saying that, I have them and recently had a full thyroid panel done which was apparently fine so who knows!

If you have horizontal nail ridges, they could indicate a medical issue. Worth mentioning to your GP.

I've got vertical ridges - genetic I think as most of my older relatives seem to have them too.

I use a ridge filler and either a nude or clear varnish. The Diego Dalla Palma ridge filler/base coat from M&S is good and so is the Nails Inc one. Even so, I never attempt wearing coloured nail varnish as it looks awful - makes the ridges really stand out!

@ScienceSensibility

Something tells me my GP will say horizontal ridges are nothing to worry about. I’d be a bit embarrassed mentioning something so minor. Maybe I’ll mention it when I’m there for something else. Thanks

Are yours horizontal or vertical OP? @Chicchicchicchiclana

I get ridged thumbnails because I scratch the cuticles when I'm stressed.

During furlough, I stopped being stressed and the ridges went away

Interesting .... are yours horizontal or vertical? @Mintjulia

Reading a quick Google would educate your GP if they were so dismissive!
Vertical ridges, generally nothing of concern.

My GP says my bloods are great, so I really don't think she'd find anything more than that given my bloods are so good. Thanks. I did look it up on google and see there's even a name for it!

but I'm not at risk of any of those illnesses, so it could be a zinc deficiency. I've had nail separation too which is mentioned in the article.

I have vertical ones. Someone told me it as to do with arthritis!

Curved horizontally across the nail.

It's my own fault, I should be able to stop.

I have a friend I don't see very often, and the first thing she does is look at my hands to see if I'm having a good year or not.

@Mintjulia

I'll admit I've had a lifetime habit of scratching my cuticles too. I had no idea it could lead to my nails looking so bad!!

@readingandrighting - vertical, see my post one before yours.

I am certain I have thyroid problems but GP says no, it's interesting to read your post Sunshiney.