WARNING for those with such lines on their nails - It turns out...

Most of the time, nails reflect the health condition of the body, and the problem is not always a vitamin deficiency. For example, Beau's lines may appear on the nails.

BAKU.WS reports that Russian doctor Yekaterina Kashukh explained what they are to "Izvestiya."

She stated that Beau's lines are transverse grooves that occur due to a temporary disruption in the growth of the nail matrix. When the body faces severe stress, resources are directed to vital functions, and nail growth is temporarily halted. This causes the appearance of characteristic depressions.

"The most common causes of Beau's lines are severe infections (for example, COVID-19, pneumonia, chickenpox), surgery, acute poisoning, chemotherapy, severe nutritional deficiency, or severe emotional stress," Kashukh explained.

It is quite easy to distinguish Beau's lines from other changes in the nail plate. They are transverse arc-shaped depressions that extend from one lateral fold to another, parallel to the lunula of the nail. Unlike fungal infections, they do not change the color or texture of the nail. Additionally, Beau's lines appear on several nails simultaneously - this is how they differ from lines caused by finger injuries in the nail area.

Determining the causes of Beau's lines requires a comprehensive approach. A dermatologist or podiatrist can conduct a visual examination using a dermatoscope (a small handheld microscope) to assess the depth and number of grooves. Since the lines reflect events that occurred 2-3 months ago (it takes this long for the nail to completely renew itself), it is necessary to analyze the history of illnesses and stressful events during this period.

Blood tests may be required to detect hormonal imbalances or signs of chronic inflammation, deficiencies in macro and microelements, and vitamins.

"Beau's lines themselves are not dangerous. As the nail grows, they gradually move to the edge of the finger and disappear after the plate is completely renewed. However, if stress factors continue to affect the body, grooves may reappear, creating a characteristic wavy surface on the nail," the doctor emphasized.

Beau-Reil lines can serve as a diagnostic guide for specialists in various fields - therapists, dermatologists, endocrinologists, oncologists. Their sudden appearance on several nails simultaneously often indicates the systemic nature of the problem. It is particularly important not to ignore multiple deep grooves accompanied by other symptoms: brittle nails, hair loss, deterioration of skin condition. This could indicate thyroid disease, autoimmune processes, or hypovitaminosis.