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Refers to deep grooved lines that run from side to side on the fingernail or the toenail.
They look like indentations or ridges in the nail plate.
Horizontal lines, going across the nail.
Vertical lines are usually a consequence of aging and are harmless.
Muehrcke lines are areas of hypopigmentation without palpable ridges, affecting the underlying nail bed, and not the nail itself.
Mees’ lines of the fingernails, are areas of discoloration in the nail plate.
Beau’s lines caused by a temporary cessation of cell division in the nail matrix.
May be caused by an infection or injury in the nail fold.
Other reasons for these lines include trauma, coronary occlusion, hypocalcaemia, skin disease, systemic disease, chemotherapy or malnutrition.
Nail growth varies with many factors including: age, gender, the finger or toe in question, as well as nutritional status.
Typically fingernails grow at about 0.1mm/day and toenails at about 0.05mm/day.
The stress causing Beau’s lines on nails can be estimated.
As the nail grows out the ridge reaches the nail edge and the fingertips can become quite sore.