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| Beau line |
What they are:
Beau’s lines are transverse depressions or grooves that run across the nail plate, appearing as indentations or ridges.
They are named after French physician Joseph Honoré Simon Beau, who first described them in 1846.
They are a sign that nail growth was temporarily stopped or slowed due to a specific event or condition.
Causes:
- Illness: Systemic diseases, infections, or high fevers can disrupt nail growth.
- Injury: Trauma to the nail or nail bed can cause Beau’s lines.
- Medications: Certain medications, particularly chemotherapy, can interfere with nail growth.
- Other factors: Malnutrition, stress, and certain skin conditions can also be associated with Beau’s lines.
- Specific conditions: Uncontrolled diabetes, thyroid problems, and Kawasaki disease have been linked to Beau’s lines.
- Pemphigus
- Viral infections (eg, hand, foot, and mouth disease)
- Local cutaneous disease (eg, dermatitis, paronychia)
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| Beau line |
Appearance:
Beau’s lines typically appear as a groove or indentation that runs horizontally across the nail plate.
They start at the base of the nail (proximal nail fold) and grow out as the nail grows.
The width of the line can indicate the duration of the underlying condition.
Treatment:
Beau’s lines themselves are not harmful and will disappear as the nail grows out.
The focus of treatment is to address the underlying cause of the nail growth disruption.
Once the underlying condition is resolved, new, smooth nail growth will resume.
Nails grow slowly, so it can take several months for Beau’s lines to completely grow out.
