13 Common Causes of Vertical Lines on Nails

2. Poor Lifestyle Choices

Poor daily habits can affect nail growth and lead to vertical lines. Nails need steady nutrients and healthy blood flow to grow smoothly. When the body does not receive enough support, the nail plate may form ridges as it develops.

Smoking reduces blood flow to the fingers and toes. With less oxygen and fewer nutrients reaching the nail matrix, where new nail cells form, growth can become uneven. Over time, this stress may change nail texture and make vertical lines more noticeable.

Heavy alcohol use can further disrupt nail health. It may contribute to poor nutrition and low levels of important vitamins and minerals. Without enough protein, iron, and B vitamins, nails may grow more slowly and develop ridges.

Frequent use of harsh nail products can also weaken the nail plate. Strong polish removers and repeated gel or acrylic treatments may dry and thin the nails. Thinner, drier nails tend to show ridges more clearly.

Poor nail hygiene adds another layer of risk. Dirt and germs can collect under long nails, increasing the chance of infection. Infections and repeated minor damage can interfere with normal nail growth and lead to uneven vertical lines.

3. Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamin deficiencies can affect how nails grow and look. Nails depend on a steady supply of nutrients to form smooth, even layers. A lack of essential vitamins and minerals can weaken the nail matrix, leading to the growth of nails with vertical lines. Iron deficiency is a common cause. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body.

When oxygen delivery to the nail matrix is reduced, nail cells may form less efficiently. Over time, nails may become thin, brittle, pale, and ridged. Some people may also notice fatigue or pale skin. B vitamin shortages can also disrupt nail growth. Biotin supports keratin production, which strengthens the nail plate.

Vitamin D supports tissue health and normal cell function. Low levels may weaken the nail structure, making ridges more noticeable as the nail grows. Protein intake also plays an important role. Nails are made of keratin, a structural protein. If the diet lacks enough protein, nail production may slow and the nail plate may form with visible vertical lines.

4. Surgery

Major surgery places significant stress on the body. In response, the body directs energy and nutrients toward healing the surgical site. During this period, less blood flow, oxygen, and nutritional support may reach the nail matrix, where new nail cells form. When the nail matrix receives less support, nail growth may slow temporarily. If growth pauses and then resumes, a visible line can develop in the nail plate.

Because fingernails grow slowly, usually a few millimeters each month, these changes may not appear right away after surgery. This change often appears several weeks after the procedure and becomes more noticeable as the nail grows forward. Surgical recovery may also involve anesthesia, blood loss, or infection.

These factors can further affect nail formation and lead to temporary changes in the nail surface. As the nail continues to grow, the line gradually moves outward and may disappear over time. More than one nail may show similar changes if the body experienced widespread physical stress during recovery.

5. Trauma

Injury to the nail is a common cause of vertical lines. When the nail matrix, the tissue under the base of the nail that produces new cells, is damaged, the nail may grow unevenly and develop ridges. A hard hit or constant pressure on the nail can disrupt normal nail formation.

For example, a bruise under the nail can create pressure and damage developing nail cells. Blood may collect beneath the nail, causing pain and color changes. More serious trauma can tear the nail or separate it from the nail bed. Cuts to the nail bed may require stitches.

If a nail falls off, a new one typically grows back in a few months. However, it may have lines or ridges if the nail matrix was damaged. Repeated minor trauma can also lead to long-term vertical ridges. This is common in people who frequently use their hands for manual work, where ongoing stress gradually alters nail growth.

6. Nail Solvents

Frequent use of nail solvents can affect nail texture over time. Many removers contain acetone or other strong chemicals that strip natural oils from the nail plate. As moisture is lost, the nail becomes dry, less flexible, and more prone to surface changes. Dryness weakens the nail structure and can make the plate thinner.

The surface may begin to look dull and feel rough. As the nail loses smoothness, natural vertical ridges may become more noticeable. Peeling and splitting may also develop with repeated exposure. With long-term contact, the nail plate may shrink slightly as it dries, which can make existing ridges stand out more clearly.

Some removers may also irritate the surrounding skin and cuticles, which help protect the base of the nail. When these protective areas become dry or damaged, healthy nail growth from the matrix may be affected. People who remove polish often or change colors several times a week face a higher risk.

7. Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. When it affects the fingers and the skin around the nails, ongoing inflammation can interfere with the nail matrix, the area that produces new nail cells. Inflammation near the cuticle plays a key role. When the skin remains irritated for long periods, the nail matrix may not function smoothly.

As a result, new nail cells may form unevenly, leading to vertical lines that run from the cuticle to the tip. The nails may also appear rough, uneven, or slightly thickened. Scratching and rubbing the irritated skin can add further stress to the area.

Repeated minor damage may make ridges more noticeable over time. Eczema on the hands often shows as red patches, scaling, small cracks, or fluid-filled blisters that later dry out. When these symptoms involve the fingers, the nearby nails are more likely to develop visible vertical lines as they grow.

8. Medications

Some medicines can change how nails grow by affecting the nail matrix, the area that produces new nail cells. When cell production slows or becomes disrupted, the nail plate may form unevenly, and vertical lines can appear as the nail grows out over time. Chemotherapy drugs are a common example.

These medicines target fast-growing cells, including those in the nail matrix. As a result, nail formation may weaken, leading to ridges, color changes, or brittle nails during or after treatment. Certain antibiotics can also alter nail structure. In some cases, they may cause slight lifting of the nail from the nail bed or changes in texture.

When the nail plate weakens, natural ridges can become more noticeable. Retinoids, used to treat severe acne and other skin conditions, may dry the nails. Increased dryness reduces flexibility, making nails more likely to split and develop fine vertical lines. Other medications, including some heart or thyroid drugs, may affect nail growth in rare cases.

9. Aging

Vertical lines on the nails often appear as a normal part of aging. Doctors call these lines longitudinal ridges, and they run from the base of the nail to the tip. As a person gets older, nail growth gradually slows. The body also produces fewer structural proteins that help keep the nail plate smooth and firm.

With slower cell turnover and reduced protein support, the nail surface may develop slight ridges instead of remaining flat. Many adults begin to notice vertical lines in midlife, and the ridges often become more noticeable with each decade. They typically appear on several nails rather than just one.

As the nail continues to grow, these ridges gradually move toward the tip. Aging can also make nails more brittle. They may split at the ends, feel rough, or look slightly dull or yellow over time. Reduced natural oils in the nail plate and surrounding skin may further increase dryness, which can make the ridges easier to see.

10. Brittle Nails

Brittle nails often develop vertical lines as the nail plate becomes weak and dry. When the nail loses moisture and strength, its surface may grow unevenly, leading to ridges. The nails may also look thin, rough, or dull and split at the tips or peel in layers.

Aging is a common cause. As a person gets older, the body produces less natural oil and moisture. This gradual dryness reduces flexibility and makes ridges more likely to form. Nutrient deficiencies can further weaken the nail structure. Low levels of iron or zinc may reduce nail strength, causing nails to break easily and show more visible lines.

In some cases, brittle nails appear along with fatigue or pale skin when anemia is present. Thyroid problems may also affect nail growth. When thyroid hormone levels are too high or too low, cell turnover in the nail matrix can change. As a result, nails may become soft, split easily, or lift slightly from the nail bed.

11. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue. This immune response causes ongoing inflammation, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. The condition often affects the hands and fingers on both sides of the body.

Over time, persistent inflammation can change joint shape and strain nearby tissues. Inflammation around the fingers may also affect the nail matrix and nail bed, which are responsible for nail growth. When the nail matrix does not receive steady circulation and support, new nail cells may form unevenly. As the nail grows, this uneven formation can lead to visible vertical lines.

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis may also notice brittle nails or slower nail growth. Changes in blood vessel function and ongoing inflammation can gradually alter the texture of the nail surface. Nail changes may become more noticeable during periods when joint inflammation is more active.

12. Trachyonychia

Trachyonychia is a nail condition that makes the nail surface rough and ridged. Many people call it “sandpaper nails” because of its texture. It often affects several nails at the same time and can involve the fingernails, toenails, or both.

The condition develops when inflammation disrupts the normal function of the nail matrix, which produces new nail cells. When this process becomes uneven, the nail plate forms with multiple fine vertical lines. As the nail grows out, it may appear thin, dull, and uneven. In some cases, the nail may instead become thick and brittle.

Trachyonychia is more common in children, although adults can develop it. It may occur on its own or alongside skin conditions such as alopecia areata, psoriasis, or lichen planus. When linked to these disorders, immune-related inflammation can affect normal nail formation. In many cases, the ridges remain consistent as the nail grows, giving the surface a persistently rough appearance.

13. Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease affects blood vessels outside the heart and brain. It happens when fatty deposits narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes increase the risk. When circulation decreases, the legs and feet receive less oxygen and fewer nutrients. This reduced support can affect the nail matrix, the area under the skin where new nail cells form.

Without enough oxygen and nutrients, the matrix may not produce smooth, even nail cells. As a result, nails may grow more slowly and develop vertical lines or ridges. They can also become brittle, pale, or thick over time. In some people, poor circulation may cause the nails to feel cooler or appear slightly dull.

Peripheral vascular disease often affects the toenails more than the fingernails because circulation problems are usually more pronounced in the lower legs and feet. Slow nail growth may occur alongside other circulation changes, such as reduced hair growth on the lower legs or feet.