Beau's Lines
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Beau's lines are transverse, arc-shaped grooves or ridges on the nails caused by severe or mild febrile illnesses, trauma, nerve shock, childbirth, or lifestyle changes. This type of dystrophic onychosis arises as a result of a sudden disorder or arrest in nail growth.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
BEAU'S LINES (Beau'sche Linien или Streifen), a transverse or, more correctly, arc-shaped furrow (or rim) on the nails, sometimes caused by some severe (or even mild) febrile illness, trauma, nerve shock, childbirth, or a change in lifestyle (e.g., switching to a vegetarian diet). This kind of dystrophic onychosis arises as a result of a sudden disruption or arrest of growth.
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Cite this page
“Beau's Lines.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/beaus-lines/