What causes painful horizontal ridges on nails with discomfort? - Dr. Urmila Nischal

Painful depressions on the nail means there are depressions on the nail plate. Usually the nail plate is nicely convex allover. When there are horizontal ridges, they are called as ridges. This not an acute phenomena. Acute means immediate. It is a chronic phenomena. It is usually not associated with any causes. So it is idiopathic, that means without any cause. Sometimes it signifies some severe conditions like a chronic renal disorder or any metabolic condition. So if there are horizontal ridges on the nails, better to consult a dermatologist and get yourself evaluated and based on the causative factor only, can decide about the management. Sometimes it becomes very difficult to manage the existing ridges. So if the basic process which is causing is controlled, then your nail plate grows normally then you can get rid of your horizontal ridges on the nails.