Beau’s lines are horizontal grooves or indentations that run across the nails. They indicate a temporary disruption in nail growth caused by illness or injury to the nail matrix.
🔍 What Causes Beau’s Lines?
- Severe illness or high fever (e.g., measles, pneumonia)
- Trauma to the nail or nail matrix
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Uncontrolled diabetes or peripheral vascular disease
- Zinc deficiency
- Severe stress or systemic infections
- Circulatory problems
⚠️ Signs and Symptoms
- Visible horizontal depressions across the nail plate
- Affect one or multiple nails
- The lines move gradually toward the fingertip as the nail grows
- Sometimes accompanied by nail discoloration or splitting
🛠️ Diagnosis
- Clinical examination
- Patient history focusing on recent illnesses or trauma
- Lab tests if systemic disease suspected
🛡️ Management
- Treat underlying cause (e.g., manage diabetes, recover from illness)
- Nails usually grow out and return to normal over time
- No specific treatment for the lines themselves