Causes and Cures of Fingernail Ridges

Causes and Cures of Fingernail Ridges

The quest of smooth, well-groomed nails is a never-ending goal for many. Not only our nails make a beauty statement of their own, they also tell a lot about a person’s overall health. Some people resort to artificial methods rather than dealing with the root cause. It is best to use a home remedy to get the nails back to a healthy condition first and then work on the cosmetic appearance.

Causes of ridges in fingernails

Vertical ridges causes

• Aging
• Slow metabolism
• Lack of enough moisture
• Deficiency of vital nutrients

Horizontal ridges causes

• Anemic condition
• Deficiency of Vitamin A
• Dehydration
• Metabolic disorder

Home remedies for ridges in fingernails:

Moisturizing: In most cases, ridges are formed due to lack of moisture. Treat the dryness on your finger nails to get rid of this problem. Avoid the frequent use of acetone based nail polish remover. Acetone quickly removes moisture from the nails and makes them dry. The easiest way to keep nails moisturized is to use petroleum jelly, several times a day.

Apply olive oil on your nails. Leave on for about 15 to 20 minutes and then wipe off the excess oil.

Diet: Diet plays an important role. Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables to heal the nails from the inside and keep them healthy. Also, include the sufficient amount of vitamin A, iron and calcium in your diet. It is essential to intake food rich in Omega 3 fatty acids too. Salmon, mackerel, and other cold – water fish contain fatty acids, which the body uses to strengthen the nails. Drink lots of water daily. Drink carrot juice as it is very rich in calcium and phosphorus and is beneficial in strengthening the nails.

Massaging: Massage your nails with jojoba oil or vegetable oil to get positive results. You can also use the lotion that contains vitamin E oils in order to eradicate ridges. Cuticle creams provide an extra layer of protective moisturizing and should be used regularly. Wear a pair of light cotton gloves to bed after liberally applying a thick layer of moisturizing cream. The added moisture can restore your fingernails to a more youthful appearance.

Few tips:

Always wear gloves to protect your hands while washing the dishes or doing any task that requires dipping the hands in water. Wearing vinyl gloves, not latex or rubber, keeps your hands safe from coarse materials.

Make sure to buff your nails correctly. Pick up a fine-grit cushion nail file and gently buff the nail from the corners toward the center using an “x” pattern. Apply no more than four to six strokes so that you don’t file through the nail. Do not attempt to buff your nails completely smooth at one session. This can damage your nails even more.

Make an appointment with a physician if the ridges in your nails deepen or darken significantly, as this can indicate a serious medical issue such as thyroid or kidney disease.

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