Yet when left untreated, it can rapidly worsen into a bigger issue and even cause thickened nails.

There are all sorts of nail issues.

Another seemingly common yet overlooked problem is ridges in the nails.

cuticle trim at salon

You might not even know you have them, especially if you always wear thick or dark nail polish.

Here’s what you gotta know if you find your nails have ridges.

You may notice ridges that are vertical or horizontal.

Nails with ridges

When people grow older, cell production tends to slow down a bit.

This can create vertical ridges in the nails.

If you’re concerned, a quick visit to your doctor can rule this out.

Chipped gel manicure

All you need is a basic blood test to check your iron stores.

Various conditions can interrupt the growth pattern in nails.

In rare cases, horizontal ridges can signal a medical condition likethyroid disease, diabetes, or kidney disease.

They can also be a side effect of undergoing chemotherapy.

Yet, horizontal ridges can be an innocent occurrence such as injury.

Horizontal ridges can also occur when you get gel manicures.