Noah Sinclair
White spots on your nails, or leukonychia, are usually harmless and not a cause for concern. They are a very common nail change and are often caused by nail injury or stress. There are many myths about why white spots develop, including the idea that they mean someone likes you. However, dermatologists explain that they may sometimes indicate a medical condition, such as iron deficiency anaemia or kidney disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Nail injury, iron deficiency anemia, fungi, infection, allergic reaction, medication side effects, kidney disease, albumin protein deficiency, skin conditions (alopecia areata, lichen planus, atopic dermatitis) |
| Harmless | Yes |
| Cause for concern | No |
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What You'll Learn
White spots on nails are usually harmless
White spots on nails, also known as leukonychia, are usually harmless and not a cause for concern. The most common cause of white spots on the nails is a nail injury, such as hitting your nail against a hard surface. However, white spots can also be caused by fungi, infection, an allergic reaction, or as a side effect of medication.
In some cases, white spots on nails may indicate a medical condition. For example, Dr Lal mentions "half and half nails", where half the nail is entirely white, which may be a sign of kidney disease. Dr Lal also points to Muehrcke's lines, which are characterised by white lines that run across the nail and may indicate a deficiency in albumin protein. Other skin conditions such as alopecia areata, lichen planus, and atopic dermatitis can also cause white spots on the nails.
If you are concerned about white spots on your nails, it is best to consult a doctor or dermatologist. They can help determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment or advice.
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White spots on nails are called leukonychia
There are different types of leukonychia: apparent leukonychia, where white spots appear on the nail bed and disappear when pressure is placed on the nail; true leukonychia, where the spots originate from the nail matrix and appear on the nail plate, and do not disappear with pressure; and pseudoleukonychia, where the white spots appear as flaking on top of the nail and are most often caused by fungi.
In some cases, white spots on nails can indicate a medical condition. For example, "half and half nails", where half the nail is entirely white, may be a sign of kidney disease. White lines that run across the nail, known as Muehrcke's lines, may indicate a deficiency in albumin protein. Other skin conditions such as alopecia areata, lichen planus, and atopic dermatitis can also cause white spots on the nails.
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White spots on nails can be caused by injury
White spots on nails, also known as leukonychia, are usually harmless and not a cause for concern. They are very common and there are many myths about why they develop. One of the most common causes of white spots on nails is nail injury. This could be from hitting your nail against a hard surface. White spots can also be caused by infection, an allergic reaction, or as a side effect of medication. In some cases, they may indicate a medical condition, such as iron deficiency anaemia, or kidney disease.
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White spots on nails can be caused by medical conditions
White spots on nails, or leukonychia, are usually harmless and not a cause for concern. Nail injury is the most common cause of white spots on nails. However, some medical conditions can also cause white marks on the nails. For example, iron deficiency anaemia, kidney disease, and a deficiency in albumin protein. Other skin conditions like alopecia areata, lichen planus, and atopic dermatitis can also cause white spots on the nails. White spots are sometimes the side effects of medications.
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White spots on nails can be caused by fungi
White spots on nails, also known as leukonychia, are usually harmless and not a cause for concern. They are very common, and there are dozens of myths about why they develop. White spots on nails can be caused by a nail injury, which is the most common cause, or by fungi. They can also be caused by medical conditions such as iron deficiency anaemia, or 'half and half nails', which may be an indicator of kidney disease. Other skin conditions like alopecia areata, lichen planus, and atopic dermatitis can also cause white spots on the nails.
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Frequently asked questions
No. White spots on nails, or leukonychia, are usually harmless and not a cause for concern. They are often caused by a nail injury or stress.
Some medical conditions, like iron deficiency anemia, can also cause white marks on the nails. Other skin conditions like alopecia areata, lichen planus, and atopic dermatitis can also cause white spots on the nails.
Dermatologists explain that white spots on nails are usually harmless but may indicate a medical condition. They can be caused by outside organisms like fungi, or by medications.
