Wavy nails can happen to anyone, but tends to be more common in the elderly. Wavy nails can be caused by many things, such as injuries, nutritional deficiencies, the aging process, to certain medical conditions.
Based on the pattern, wavy nails can be divided into two, namely horizontal (transverse) and vertical (longitudinal) wavy nails. Each of these patterns has different causal factors.
Vertical Wavy Nails
In vertical wavy nails, waves appear from the tip of the nail to the cuticle. Vertical wavy nails are more common in the elderly, because with age, growth or cell turnover in the nails becomes slower.
In addition to age, there are several medical conditions that can cause vertical wavy nails, namely:
Iron deficiency anemia
This condition can cause the nails to curl vertically and appear sunken like a spoon. In addition, anemia due to iron deficiency also makes nails brittle and easy to break.
Trachyonychia
Trachyonychia is a condition in which the nails are thin, rough, brittle, and very wavy. This condition is similar to abnormalities in the nails due to alopecia areata, lichen planus, and psoriasis.
Onychorrhexis
If vertical wavy nails are accompanied by changes in nail texture and color, it could be a sign of onychorrhexis. Onychorrhexis is the medical term for a brittle nail condition accompanied by peeling of the skin around the nail.
This condition can be caused by exposure to chemicals in nail polish remover, soap, or detergent, as well as by certain diseases, such as thyroid disease.
Horizontal Wavy Nails
Horizontal wavy nails accompanied by discoloration need to be watched out for. The line on the nail formed by the horizontal wave is called the line Beau, and can be a sign of health problems.
In very rare cases, horizontal stripes on the nails may indicate arsenic poisoning. In addition, the line Beau can also be caused by:
- Malnutrition.
- Infections, such as measles, pneumonia, or fungal infections.
- Chemotherapy side effects.
- Injury to the nails.
- Metabolic disorders, such as diabetes.
- Heart attack.
Because it can be caused by many things, wavy nails need to be checked by a dermatologist, especially if accompanied by changes in nail shape or color.
The treatment that will be given by the doctor on wavy nails is to treat the disease causing it. After the cause is resolved, the condition of the nail will improve by itself.