Onychorrhexis are vertical ridges that develop on your fingernails. It’s one of the main symptoms of nail brittleness and may be a side effect of certain heart conditions or other systemic diseases.

Nail professionals should be aware of these changes to the nails and encourage clients to seek medical advice when they notice these signs.

Causes

Typically, onychorrhexis is not serious and doesn’t require medical treatment. However, some people may be worried about the appearance of ridges on their nails and seek advice from their doctor. In those cases, the doctor may recommend steps to help the patient care for their nails and treat any underlying conditions that could be contributing to onychorrhexis.

Onychorrhexis is caused by problems with the nail matrix, which is responsible for making your nails grow. Problems with the matrix can lead to a lack of skin cells and a lack of the skin protein keratin that gives your nails their strength.

Some common causes of onychorrhexis include aging, heart conditions (like arteriosclerosis or congestive heart failure), and nutritional deficiencies, such as a diet lacking in iron, protein, and/or folic acid, or the side effect of certain medications such as cancer chemotherapeutic agents or retinoids. In addition, a number of medical conditions that cause inflammation in the skin and nails, such as psoriasis or eczema can contribute to brittleness of the nails.

Buffing your nails can remove some of the ridges, but it cannot completely get rid of them. You should always consult a health professional if you have concerns about the appearance of your nails or think they might be linked to an underlying health condition.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of onychorrhexis is easily visible, up-and-down (longitudinal) lines that run vertically across the fingernails. These lines can feel rough to the touch. Onychorrhexis also often causes nails to become brittle and split more easily. In rare cases, these nail changes are a sign of a serious health problem.

Onychorrhexis is sometimes seen in combination with nail pitting, a separate condition that causes small indentations to form on the nails. This symptom may occur as a result of certain illnesses, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. It can also be caused by repeated trauma to the nails, such as when using nail polish removers or cuticle softeners. Other symptoms of onychorrhexis include white spots on the nails (onychoschizia) and horizontal splitting of the nails.

Onychorrhexis isn’t usually a cause for concern and can be part of the natural aging process. However, if accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor for a diagnosis. Treatment options include taking a biotin supplement. Doctors link this vitamin B form with healthy nails, and it’s available over-the-counter. Also, practicing good nail care habits by keeping the nails trimmed and moisturized can help prevent them from becoming brittle or breaking more easily. If the onychorrhexis is a symptom of an underlying illness, treating that disease can also help with the nail changes.

Treatment

Often, changes in the appearance of your nails are nothing to worry about. But when vertical ridges appear, it can suggest that you have an underlying health condition.

The ridges develop when something goes wrong with your nail matrix, which is responsible for how the nails grow. This condition can affect both the nails and their pigmentation, and it causes them to become brittle and flaky. It also makes them harder to remove fungi from the nail bed.

You should seek medical attention if you notice these changes in your nails. A doctor can recommend treatments such as dietary supplements that help promote healthy nails, and he or she can give you medications to treat the underlying cause. If your ridges are due to a skin disorder, such as psoriasis, doctors may prescribe topical corticosteroids to improve the appearance of the nails.

A doctor will also consider your overall health to determine if you should take a supplement that contains biotin, a vitamin B form that many doctors link to healthy nails. If you decide to take a nail care product that contains biotin, always follow the label instructions. You should also wear gloves when handling household chemicals and cleaning products, and avoid biting your nails or using nail polish that contains formaldehyde. This will help prevent further damage to your nails and prevent a buildup of ridges.

Prevention

Although brittle nails often result from genetics and age, they can also be due to simple daily habits. Frequent handwashing, harsh chemicals found in some cleaning products, and overuse of nail polish remover containing acetone can strip moisture from the nails. This causes the nail to become more brittle, and over time ridges may form.

Although the ridges themselves aren’t dangerous, it is important to note any other changes in your nails and take action to correct the underlying cause. You can take preventative measures by taking a daily biotin supplement (this vitamin is linked with healthy skin and nails) or wearing gloves when washing dishes or using harsh chemicals, eating foods rich in vitamins A and C to help promote strong and thick nails, using a keratin treatment to strengthen the nail, and avoiding nail biting.

While onychorrhexis isn’t typically something to worry about, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor if you notice other symptoms with your nails such as pain or fatigue. Your doctor will then be able to recommend the right treatments for you.