Thumb nail up and down indentations

Hi Anonymous and thanks for your post.

If you have ridges or lines in your fingernails, the direction and type of line can help you determine whether you are just showing your age, or if a visit to the doctor might be in order.

Vertical ridges are typically lines that run from the nail bed or base of the fingernail to the tip of the nail. You may be able to see these lines as well as feel them when you run a finger across your fingernail.

Vertical lines are often a normal part of aging and, as such, are typically not a serious cause for concern. These ridges can also develop as an extension of an injury to the bed of the fingernail.

Are you having any other health concerns? Vertical ridges appearing on brittle nails that are prone to jagged edges or splitting, may be a sign of a non-infectious skin rash called lichen planus.

Brittle nails with ridges may also be a symptom of a more serious health condition such as anemia — which is low iron in the blood — or low thyroid. You may want to talk to your health care provider to determine whether the ridges in your thumb nail  could be a concern.

Hope that helps,

Pat