The Medicine Forum

Article Title

“COVID Nails”

Authors

Gillian Naro, MD, MEd, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Gregory Kane, MD, MACP, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Abstract

A 73-year-old female presented to an outpatient clinic for management of her COPD. Two months prior, she had experienced a febrile illness with a cough and subsequently tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, requiring hospitalization and intubation in an intensive care unit. Physical examination revealed transverse white lines extending across the nail plate about 5mm from the base of the nail on multiple nails. These findings were consistent with Beau Lines, a sign of acute systemic inflammation resulting in the sudden interruption of nail keratin synthesis. The location of the line relative to the growth of the nail can reflect a time stamp for the moment of illness, in this case a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Recommended Citation

Naro, MD, MEd, Gillian and Kane, MD, MACP, Gregory (2021) "“COVID Nails”," The Medicine Forum: Vol. 22, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29046/TMF.022.1.004
Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/tmf/vol22/iss1/5