How Aging Affects Your Nails

As we age, our nails change just like our skin and hair do. But while brittle tips or ridges might seem like just cosmetic concerns, nail changes can sometimes reflect deeper health issues. Understanding what’s normal and what’s not can help you take better care of your nails and your overall health.

Here’s what happens to your nails as you get older, and how to keep them strong and healthy at every age.

1. Slower Nail Growth Is Normal

Fingernails grow at an average rate of about 3 mm per month, but this rate starts to decline as early as your twenties. In fact, nail growth slows by around 0.5% each year, and toenails grow even more slowly typically at one-third to one-half the rate of fingernails.

Slower growth isn’t a health issue in itself, but it does mean injuries or nail damage take longer to heal.

2. Brittle Texture and Breakage Become More Common

With age, nails often become more fragile, especially when exposed repeatedly to water, soaps, nail polish removers, or cleaning chemicals.

You may notice:

• Splitting or peeling at the tips

• Ridges running lengthwise down the nail

• Nails that snap or crack more easily

This could be simply age-related or a sign of other health issues like anemia, hormonal changes, or even atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). If your nails become unusually brittle or textured, check in with your healthcare provider.

3. Nails May Become Thicker or Thinner

While some people notice thinning nails over time, others especially older adults develop thicker, more difficult-to-trim nails. This is especially common with toenails.

Thicker nails may be linked to:

• Fungal infections (onychomycosis), which account for about 50% of all nail disorders in older adults

• Psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis

• Repeated trauma, often from tight shoes

Toenails are especially vulnerable since they’re often in warm, moist environments—ideal for fungal growth. Treatments may include topical or oral antifungals, but they often require months of use for full effectiveness.

4. Changes in Nail Shape and Contour Can Occur

It’s common to see subtle changes in nail shape with age, but dramatic curvature or clubbing when nails become rounder and the nail bed swells can be a red flag for underlying issues like chronic oxygen deficiency, kidney, or liver disease.

Other shape concerns include:

• Ingrown toenails, caused by pressure from shoes or foot deformities. While often minor, they can be especially painful in older adults and affect mobility.

• Treatment options include warm soaks, cotton under the nail edge, or in more persistent cases, minor surgery.

5. Discoloration and Stripes Might Appear

It’s not uncommon for nails to become more yellow, pale, or opaque with age. Some of this is normal, but other changes like dark ridges or bands warrant a closer look.

A condition called longitudinal melanonychia (dark stripes running the length of the nail) becomes more common with age and in individuals with darker skin tones. Often harmless, but if it appears suddenly or affects only one nail, especially the thumb, index finger, or big toe, it could be a sign of:

• Melanoma (a serious skin cancer)

• Bowen’s disease (a form of skin cancer)

• Splinter hemorrhages (tiny bruises under the nail from minor trauma)

When in doubt, see a dermatologist especially if the stripe darkens, widens, or changes.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Not all nail changes are cause for concern, but some may indicate more serious health problems, including:

• Heart or lung disease

• Liver or kidney issues

• Diabetes

• Iron deficiency or anemia

You should see your provider if you notice:

• A sudden change in nail color or shape

• Severe thickening or brittleness

• Painful or persistent ingrown nails

• Any unusual stripes or discoloration

Caring for Aging Nails: Simple Tips That Make a Difference

• Moisturize your nails and cuticles to prevent splitting

• Avoid harsh polish removers or chemicals

• Trim regularly with clean, sharp tools

• Keep toenails dry and well-ventilated

• Wear properly fitted shoes to prevent trauma

Your nails may change with time but they can still stay healthy and attractive with a little extra care.

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