Beau's Lines and COVID-19: A Systematic Review on Their Association
March 2024
in “
Pathogens
”
TLDR Beau's lines on nails may indicate severe COVID-19 or vaccination response.
This systematic review examines the link between Beau’s lines, transverse grooves on nails, and COVID-19 infection or vaccination, analyzing nine studies with 35 cases. Beau’s lines appeared primarily after severe COVID-19 infections, typically 3 months post-infection, and resolved within 6 months. They also appeared after vaccination, with onset ranging from 7 days to 6 weeks and resolution within 8 to 17 weeks. The findings suggest Beau’s lines may indicate severe immune responses and could serve as markers for long COVID-19 syndrome. Despite the small sample size, the review underscores the potential of Beau’s lines as indicators of systemic stress related to COVID-19.