18/1/2024–|Last updated: 1/18/202408:21 PM (Mecca time)
Nail grooves are lines that appear in the nails vertically or horizontally for many reasons, some of which are simple, and some of which are serious.
Vertical grooves
Vertical or longitudinal grooves are common in older people, and are often due to aging, due to the slow rate of cell turnover (their death and then the growth of new cells).
Vertical grooves require consulting a doctor if they are accompanied by other changes in the nail, such as splitting, crumbling, and a concave or spoon-shaped shape, as they may indicate a serious health problem such as anemia caused by iron deficiency.
Horizontal grooves
As for horizontal or transverse grooves, they often indicate a serious health problem such as zinc deficiency, untreated diabetes, “parathyroid” diseases, respiratory diseases, and mumps, and may occur due to undergoing chemotherapy.
In general, a doctor should be consulted if you notice dark brown, black, or red changes under the nails, even though the nail has not been exposed to trauma (bruises), as these color changes may indicate a serious disease such as endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart). ) or a malignant tumor.
