Most people see nails as a cosmetic detail – something to trim, polish, or decorate. But medically speaking, your nails are much more than
that. Changes in nail texture, color, or the appearance of lines can reflect what’s happening inside your body, sometimes revealing early
warning signs of underlying health conditions.
While not every line on the nails is dangerous, certain patterns should never be ignored.
Why Nails Reflect Your Health
Fingernails grow from the nail matrix, which is rich in blood vessels and sensitive to changes in nutrition, circulation, hormones, and illness.
Because nails grow slowly, they can record health disturbances over weeks or even months – almost like a timeline of your body’s condition.
Lines on nails usually fall into two main categories:
Vertical (longitudinal) lines
Horizontal (transverse) lines
Each type can mean something different.
Vertical Lines on Nails: Common but Not Always Harmless
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