Those lines on your nails may be more than a cosmetic concern. Experts explain that nail texture changes — from ridges to horizontal grooves — can reflect everything from normal aging to nutritional gaps or underlying health conditions. Knowing the difference is key.
En bref
- —Vertical ridges are common and usually harmless with age
- —Horizontal lines may signal illness or physical stress
- —Sudden or widespread changes warrant medical attention
Nails as a Window Into the Body
Nails grow from the matrix located beneath the cuticle, and their formation is directly influenced by what is happening inside the body. Because they develop slowly, they can act as a kind of timeline, recording periods of stress, illness, or nutritional change.
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