Beau's lines

Beau’s lines

Beau’s lines are deep grooved lines in nails.

What is the direction of Beau’s lines?

1. Beau’s lines run from side to side on the nails.
2. Beau’s lines are horizontal, goes across the nailline.
3. Beau’s lines are actual ridges and indentations in the nail plate

What are the causes of Beau’s line?

Temporary cessation of cell division in the nail matrix

1. Infection
2. Trauma
3. Coronary occlusion
4. Hypocalcaemia
5. Skin disease
6. Uncontrolled diabetes
7. peripheral vascular disease
8. Conditions with high fever – scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.
9. Zinc deficiency

How to differentiate Muehrcke lines and Mee’s lines from Beau’s lines?

Differentiate Muehrcke lines and Mee’s lines from Beau’s lines
1	Beau’s line	Beau’s lines are actual ridges
2	Muehrcke lines	Hypopigmentation without palpable ridges
3	Mees’ lines of the fingernails	Which are areas of discoloration in the nail plate.

Muehrcke lines – areas of hypopigmentation without palpable ridges

Beau’s line – Beau’s lines are actual ridges

Mees’ lines of the fingernails – which are areas of discoloration in the nail plate.

Muehrcke’s lines :

Muehrcke’s lines
Muehrcke’s lines	Strong indicator of hypoalbuminemia
In contrast to Beau’s lines	Muehrcke’s lines are not grooved (no 3-dimensional deformity)
In contrast to Mees’ line	Thumb is usually not involved in Muehrcke’s lines

Strong indicator of hypoalbuminemia

In contrast to Beau’s lines – Muehrcke’s lines are not grooved (no 3-dimensional deformity)

In contrast to Mees’ lines – thumb is usually not involved in Muehrcke’s lines