Beau’s lines indicate what?

• A. Horizontal ridges indicate systemic illness or trauma
• B. Vertical ridges indicate health
• C. No ridges indicate health
• D. Pitted ridges indicate deficiency

Answer: (A)

Beau's lines are horizontal ridges that form when nail growth is briefly paused by a systemic illness, a high fever, or a significant physical trauma. As the nail keeps growing, that brief disruption shows up as a straight across line across the nail plate. This pattern points to a past health event affecting the body at the time the line formed, rather than a normal variation in nail texture. Vertical ridges, by contrast, run lengthwise and are more often linked to aging or minor, less systemic factors. Absence of ridges isn’t a reliable health indicator, and pitted ridges are associated with conditions like psoriasis or other skin-related autoimmune issues. So the horizontal line reflects a temporary, body-wide disruption.