Beyond their aesthetic function, our nails are true indicators of our overall health. Sometimes, without warning, they change appearance and display intriguing vertical or horizontal ridges. Should we be worried? Is this a simple sign of fatigue or a sign of a deeper imbalance? Follow the guide!
Vertical streaks, horizontal streaks: what do they mean?
Vertical ridges —those that run from the base to the tip of the nail—are the most common . The good news is that they’re often completely normal, especially with age . Like wrinkles on the skin, they appear when cell renewal slows down. So it’s more a matter of maturity than pathology.
But if these ridges become more pronounced, if the nails are brittle or change color, this may indicate slight deficiencies (in iron, zinc or B vitamins) or dehydration of the nail . Nothing alarming, but it deserves a little nutritional boost .
As for horizontal streaks — called Beau’s lines — they should be monitored closely . They generally indicate a temporary slowdown in nail growth, often linked to a significant event: high fever, significant stress, or a period of convalescence. In short, they mark a “freeze frame” experienced by the body .
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