If you notice longitudinal grooves in your fingernails, there is no reason to panic. We will explain to you where the nail changes come from and which home remedies can strengthen your nails.
From time to time, fine longitudinal grooves may appear in your fingernails. However, you don’t have to worry about that. The grooves are usually completely harmless to health and occur even on healthy nails.
Causes of longitudinal grooves in fingernails
There can be different reasons for longitudinal grooves in the fingernails:
- Longitudinal grooves in the fingernails occur particularly in people over 35 years old. Most of the time they are just a side effect of aging and are therefore completely harmless. By the way, white spots on the fingernails are usually just as harmless.
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Lack of fluid can be another cause of longitudinal grooves in the fingernails, according to the medical portal Netdoktor. That’s why you should always drink enough water to prevent them.
- Many people have a genetic predisposition to the grooves.
- More rarely, longitudinal grooves in the fingernails indicate liver disease or rheumatism. If you have any suspicions in this direction, it is best to see a doctor.
More grooves with age
As you get older, longitudinal grooves on your fingernails may appear more frequently. According to Netdoktor, this can be due to slowed nail growth and poorer blood circulation. As people get older, they tend to drink less. An increased lack of fluids can also be the cause.
However, according to Netdoktor, longitudinal grooves can also occasionally occur as a symptom in connection with more serious illnesses. These include, for example, arthritis, skin diseases, nail tumors, metabolic disorders or infections in the body. If you are not sure, talk to your family doctor about it.
What to do if you have grooves in your fingernails?
If the longitudinal grooves in your fingernails bother you a lot, you can usually help with a simple manicure to make your nails look healthy and flawless again. The grooves can also be easily covered with a little nail polish. However, make sure that you use a base coat to avoid unsightly discoloration of the nails.
Strengthen nail structure
To prevent longitudinal grooves from occurring in the first place, you can follow these tips:
- A healthy and balanced diet is the easiest way to avoid longitudinal grooves in your fingernails. Providing your body with all the important nutrients can also improve the appearance of your nails.
- As already mentioned, lack of water can cause longitudinal grooves in the fingernails. That’s why you should drink plenty. You have to decide for yourself whether you want tap or mineral water.
- Nutrients such as biotin, iron, zinc and vitamin A support the health of your nails. For example, biotin is found in oatmeal and nuts, while you can get vitamin A from spinach and carrots.
- You can strengthen your nail structure with olive oil. This provides the nail with moisture, vitamins and minerals.
Read more on Techzle\.com:
- Biting your fingernails: causes and how to stop
- Strengthen brittle fingernails with natural remedies
- Treating nail fungus with home remedies: This is what you should keep in mind
Revised by Lena Kirchner
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