WATCH YOUR FINGERNAILS
THE WEEK India|November 03, 2024
Have you ever wondered what the ridges on your nails can reveal about your health?
Miranda McMinn
WATCH YOUR FINGERNAILS

O ur fingernails are our version of animals' claws, made from the same substancekeratin as our hair, and the hooves and horns of vertebrates.

They grow twice as fast as our toenails, faster in men than women. They don't hurt when you cut them because, apart from the small moon, the part we can see is dead. So far, so fascinating. But what if you look down and see that you have developed ridges where there used to be none? Should you worry? What are the different kinds of fingernail ridges? There are two types:

Longitudinal or vertical ridges which run vertically up and down in the direction of your fingernail.

Horizontal ridges which go across from one side of the finger to the other.

Dr Dhruvkumar Laheru is a consultant dermatologist and the nails lead for the British Hair and Nail Society. He explains, "Usually horizontal ridges are a sign that some form of interruption or change has happened in the growth of the fingernail." But he adds this is not necessarily a diagnostic tool for an existing condition, as it is usually something that has happened in the past. "Ridges are a bit like rings in a tree, they're a marker of things that happened a while ago, a bit like a glacier-it flows forward like a river, but is incredibly slow."

For a nail to grow from the beginning, forming under the cuticle in the nail matrix, to the end where you clip it off, takes around a year for a fingernail and two years for a toenail in an adult.

"So for things that happened to show up as a horizontal ridge would have happened a while ago."

(And it's not true that fingernails continue to grow after you die-the effect is caused by skin dehydrating and tightening, making the hair and nails appear to grow.)

The most common cause of horizontal ridges

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE WEEK INDIAView all
Constipation Can Put Your Heart At Risk
THE WEEK India

Constipation Can Put Your Heart At Risk

PEOPLE WITH CONSTIPATION have an increased risk of major cardiac events, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure, especially if they also have high blood pressure, finds an international study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
Too Much Sitting Can Accelerate Ageing
THE WEEK India

Too Much Sitting Can Accelerate Ageing

SITTING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS can harm the heart and accelerate ageing, even if you are young and get the minimum recommended amount of daily exercise, according to a US study published in the journal PLOS One.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
Efficiency and innovation
THE WEEK India

Efficiency and innovation

As health care evolves, professionals must employ innovative methods to refine their skills

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Level up
THE WEEK India

Level up

Only 30 per cent of needy patients are able to undergo transplant in India; we need more dedicated transplant centres

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL
THE WEEK India

HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL

While stem cell therapies have shown success in treating blood disorders, orthopaedic ailments, autoimmune diseases and eye issues, there is hope that they can one day treat patients with heart disease, blindness, Parkinson's, HIV, diabetes and spinal cord injuries

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 01, 2024
Mind matters
THE WEEK India

Mind matters

Your mindset can limit or expand your physical ability

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Cutting edge
THE WEEK India

Cutting edge

Would you go under the knife if a robot was the one holding it? Or would you say, \"No way, I need a human touch\"? You might have to decide soon because a robot that can imitate skilled human surgeons is already here.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
The smallest cut
THE WEEK India

The smallest cut

Minimally invasive surgeries have a bright future, with virtual reality and 3D procedures offering greater precision and AI on the horizon

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Signalling a revolution
THE WEEK India

Signalling a revolution

Canadian scientist and entrepreneur Sachdev Sidhu is focused on bringing cutting-edge antibody engineering to his country of origin

time-read
7 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Wellness on demand
THE WEEK India

Wellness on demand

Starting as a doctor-patient chat platform, Medibuddy has evolved to be India's largest on-demand, full-stack digital health care platform

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024