COVID-19 "Nails" Could Be a Sign of Previous Infection

Strategic Insights -

Professor Tim Spector of King's College has suggested that horizontal lines across the nail, often referred to as "COVID nails," could be an indication of a previous COVID-19 infection. This phenomenon, also known as Beau's lines, has been observed in both fingers and toes, and is harmless. According to Spector, the lines can occur several months after catching the virus and are not limited to those with severe symptoms. The underlying theory is that the nail line forms after the body shuts down for a brief period to fight the infection.

Key Takeaways:

  • Horizontal lines across the nail, also known as Beau's lines, could be a sign of previous COVID-19 infection, according to Professor Tim Spector of King's College.
  • These lines can occur in both fingers and toes and are harmless.
  • The phenomenon is not limited to those with severe symptoms, and can happen after other infections too.
  • The underlying theory is that the nail line forms after the body shuts down for a brief period to fight the infection.
  • Dr. Tanya Bleiker, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, has confirmed that dermatologists have seen COVID-19 patients with horizontal lines on their nails too.
  • These changes have long been recognized as Beau's lines, and are transverse indents in the nail of many, or all, fingernails and sometimes toenails.
  • Red, moon-shaped lines across the nail are another coronavirus nail manifestation reported by dermatologists in August.
  • The nail changes could potentially serve as a cheap alternative to an antibody test, allowing people to determine if they've had COVID-19 without the need for an invasive and expensive test.
  • Spector's study has received multiple anecdotal reports of so-called COVID nails from people using the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app, which has more than 4 million global users.

Statistics:

  • More than 4 million users participate in the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app globally.
  • Beau's lines are transverse indents in the nail of many, or all, fingernails and sometimes toenails.

Sources:

  • (https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet)
  • (https://covid.joinzoe.com/about)
  • (https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/covid-nails-can-be-a-sign-you-had-the-virus_uk_60910996e4b0ccb91c35d788)
  • (https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/36/E1040)
  • (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.15167)