What do Beau's lines indicate?

Beau's lines are visible horizontal depressions that run across the nail plate, and they serve as a significant indicator of potential issues in a person's health or well-being. Specifically, these lines indicate that there has been a temporary disruption in nail growth, often caused by severe illness, trauma, malnutrition, or systemic conditions. When the body experiences stress or a significant change, such as a fever or surgery, nail growth can slow or temporarily stop, leading to the formation of these lines as the nail continues to grow afterward.

Understanding Beau's lines is important for nail technicians and health professionals as they can provide insight into a person's overall health history and previous experiences that may have affected their physical condition. Other options do not accurately capture the essence of Beau's lines, as they do not pertain to these specific horizontal markings related to health disturbances.