What is Beau’s Lines?

Beau’s lines are indented grooves that run from one side to the other of a person’s nail bed in a horizontal line (not vertical).

The cause of Beau’s lines are not well understood. It is believed that the following are some potential causes of Beau’s lines and are related to the nail bed’s inability to divide its cells for a certain period of time. These include:

1. Hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels);

2. Malnutrition;

3. Corronary occlusion (heart disease);

4. Trauma;

5. Prolonged hyperglycaemia (diabetes); and

6. After long periods of systemic infection, such as sepsis.

Beau’s lines were first identified by a Joseph Beau