Beau’s Lines on Nails: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment — Feet First Clinic

Have you ever noticed horizontal lines or grooves lengthwise across your nails? The nail abnormality is called Beau’s lines. You may develop Beau’s lines after trauma to the nail, or it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Today’s blog article explores Beau’s lines, potential causes, and treatment methods. Keep read to learn more about Beau’s lines and how to keep your nails healthy and strong.

What are Beau’s lines?

Beau’s lines are a type of nail abnormality. They are indentations, grooves, or lines that run horizontally across the nails. The condition can affect any number of fingernails or toenails. Amongst your toenails, the big toe is the most common culprit. Curious as to why they’re referred to as Beau’s lines? French physician Joseph Honoré Simon Beau first discovered the condition, hence the name.

What causes Beau’s lines on nails?

A temporary disruption in the growth of the nail matrix Beau’s lines. They are symptoms of an underlying illness, medical, or skin condition. They appear when average nail growth is interrupted, and the blemishes appear due to irregular keratin (skin cells) development. Once you can identify and treat the underlying cause, normal nail growth may resume.

Identifying Beau’s lines can be delayed because of the nail growth rate. Toenails grow at ~1.60 mm per month , so nail growth delays Beau’s lines’ arrival. The lines appear roughly after damage or cause sets in.

The number and distinctiveness of Beau’s lines can provide insights and clues into possible causes. For instance:

• One Beau’s line on a single toenail may indicate a less severe injury.
• Beau’s lines on multiple nails may indicate higher stress levels or a more severe injury/illness.
• Several rows of Beau’s lines on each toenail with a gap in between may indicate multiple traumas over time, but not at once.
• Fewer Beau’s lines may signify a chronic injury or illness.

Beau’s lines may occur for several reasons. Possible causes include:

• Illness or severe stress. Being ill or stressed can divert your body’s resources and nutrients away from nail growth. Blood flow interference due to an illness or infection is the culprit. Certain illnesses or infections can cause Beau’s lines, including:
• A noted that study published in the National Library of Medicine COVID-19 might cause Beau’s lines. The coronavirus is by no means the sole cause of Beau’s lines but can be a trigger. As such, Beau’s lines are sometimes known as “ COVID nails .”
• and affect nail growth. Zinc deficiency is also Vitamin or nutrient deficiencies. Particular vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can interrupt nail growth. For instance, biotin deficiency is known to cause brittle nails linked to the nail condition.
• Chemotherapy side effects. Approximately 23% of anti-cancer therapy patients report nail changes. Changes to the nail may include Beau’s lines.
• Paronychia. Inflammation of the skin around the nails (known as paronychia) can cause Beau’s lines.

How do I treat Beau’s lines?

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for Beau’s lines, nor is there a specific treatment for the condition per se. The key is to address the underlying cause — whether it be a medical condition or acute trauma — rather than the symptom (i.e.: what you see on your nails).

Below are several possible treatment methods you can try, depending on the underlying condition:

• Get a medical pedicure from a licensed chiropodist to encourage proper nail growth, perform a thorough examination, and eliminate onychophosis (the buildup of skin cells in the nail folds, nail plate and cuticles).
• Take biotin supplements . Some studies suggest that taking biotin can increase nail plate thickness . Generally, adults 19+ should be consuming of biotin per day.

If you find Beau’s lines persisting, or worsening, it’s recommended to contact a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Originally published at https://feetfirstclinic.com on January 23, 2023.