Which nail condition can be associated with severe stress or trauma?

Beau's lines are transverse grooves that appear across the nails, and their formation is typically linked to periods of severe stress or trauma. When the body experiences significant stress, such as illness, surgery, or emotional distress, it can temporarily disrupt nail growth. As a result, the new nail cells may not form properly, leading to the development of these lines as the nails grow out. The presence of Beau's lines reflects a history of trauma or stress at the time when the nail matrix was affected, making this condition a key indicator of previous physiological disturbances.

While conditions such as paronychia, hangnails, and psoriasis can affect the nails, they are not primarily related to stress or trauma in the same way Beau's lines are. Paronychia is an infection of the skin around the nail, hangnails are caused by dry skin, and psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can affect nails but is more related to autoimmune processes rather than immediate stress or trauma.