We’ve been living with coronavirus for well over a year, and yet, there’s so much we still don’t know about it. One of those things is the long-term side-effects after recovering from the virus. Several people have reported odd symptoms like hair fall, loss of smell and taste even months after they have recovered. And now, medical researchers have come across a new side effect: COVID nails.
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But what exactly are COVID nails and how do they affect us? We’re breaking it down for you:
What Are COVID Nails?
The medical term for this condition is called Beau’s Lines. According to Healthline, Beau’s lines are horizontal indentations, or ridges, that develop across the nails. They usually run straight across the nail, and occur when nail growth is interrupted at the nail matrix—the place where your nail emerges from your finger.
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This COVID side-effect came into the spotlight when British epidemiologist Tim Spector tweeted about it. Sharing a picture, he wrote, “Do your nails look odd? COVID nails are increasingly being recognised as the nails recover after infection and the growth recovers leaving a clear line. Can occur without skin rashes and appears harmless.”
Do your nails look odd? COVID nails are increasingly being recognised as the nails recover after infection and the growth recovers leaving a clear line. Can occur without skin rashes and appears harmless pic.twitter.com/Q1Lfdrc9Dc
— Tim Spector (@timspector) May 3, 2021
Soon, the comments section started getting flooded with Twitter users sharing pictures of the same condition. One of them said, “Yes most of my finger nails have lines on them, some can be clearly seen and other nails when you feel them. I thought it was just a coincidence and I’ve still got a red toe. It’s a year since I had Covid” while another said, “I had that on thumb nails in january. And dimples in fingernails too.”
So now the question is—are COVID nails a sign that you’ve had coronavirus? Not necessarily, according to healthcare professionals. That’s because Beau’s Nails can be caused by a lot of other illnesses, including auto-immune diseases, diabetes and pneumonia. And besides that, doctors say that if you do have them, they are nothing to worry about. You don’t need a specific treatment or cure for them—they usually just go away on their own.
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So there you have it, folks. If you are sporting COVID nails, don’t panic—it isn’t a serious condition and it doesn’t mean you’ve had COVID-19!
Featured Image: Twitter
