By the way, doctor: What causes Beau's lines?
Multiple Beau's lines in one nail are a sign of repetitive local injury to the matrix, while multiple nails with multiple lines probably indicate something systemic, such as several cycles of chemotherapy. Since nails grow slowly — about three millimeters per month for fingernails — a condition affecting the nail matrix won't register in the nail plate for weeks or months. You can estimate when injury to the nail matrix took place by measuring the distance from the cuticle to the groove. Unless the matrix is re-injured, Beau's lines grow out with the nail and eventually disappear. Complete replacement of a fingernail takes about six months. You can't do much about Beau's lines, but you may want to ask a clinician familiar with nail problems (usually a dermatologist) to see whether some other condition is involved.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
