Caleb Foster
White spots under the nail can be caused by a number of factors, including inflammatory skin diseases, vitamin deficiencies, and certain medications. Leukonychia is the medical term for white nails, which can affect the whole nail or just parts of it. While some causes of white spots are rare, others are more common, such as injury or vitamin deficiencies. If you are concerned about white spots under your nails, it is best to consult a doctor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical term | Leukonychia |
| Cause | Inflammatory skin diseases, such as nail psoriasis and hand eczema, can lead to abnormal spots in the nail plate. Leukoderma can also cause white patches under the nail. Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs and long-term antibiotics, can also be a cause. |
| Appearance | White spots may appear as tiny dots or larger patches across the entire nail plate. |
| Action | If you are worried about white spots on your nails, it is best to consult your physician. |
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What You'll Learn
Leukonychia
White spots under the nails can be caused by inflammatory skin diseases, like nail psoriasis and hand eczema, which can lead to abnormal spots in the nail plate. Leukoderma causes white patches under the nail, which can be mistaken for discolouration of the nail itself. Leukonychia is the medical term for white nails, which can affect the whole nail or just parts of it. This involves a problem with the nail bed under the nail, not the nail itself. The white spots may appear as tiny dots or larger spots that stretch across the entire nail plate.
Certain medications can also cause white spots on the nails, such as chemotherapy drugs and long-term antibiotics like sulfonamides. If you are worried about white spots on your nails, it is best to consult your physician. A full physical exam can be conducted, which involves your doctor looking at your fingers and toes and potentially ordering a comprehensive blood panel.
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Leukoderma
White spots under the nail can be caused by inflammatory skin diseases, like nail psoriasis and hand eczema, which can lead to abnormal spots in the nail plate. Leukoderma is one such skin disease that causes white patches under the nail. Leukoderma is a rare condition, and a doctor will likely explore other conditions before considering it.
There is currently no cure for leukoderma, but there are treatments available to help manage the condition and improve the appearance of the skin. These treatments include topical medications, light therapy, and skin camouflage techniques. In some cases, leukoderma may resolve on its own without treatment.
If you notice white spots under your nails, it is important to consult a doctor or dermatologist to determine the underlying cause. While leukoderma is a rare condition, it is important to rule out more common causes of white spots on the nails, such as injury or vitamin deficiencies.
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Nail psoriasis
White spots under the nail can be caused by leukonychia, which is the most common type of nail discolouration. It can affect the whole nail or just parts of it. Leukoderma can also cause white patches under the nail. Inflammatory skin diseases, such as nail psoriasis, can also cause abnormal spots in the nail plate.
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Hand eczema
White spots under the nail can be caused by inflammatory skin diseases, such as nail psoriasis and hand eczema, which can lead to abnormal spots in the nail plate. Leukoderma, a condition that causes white patches under the nail, is another possible cause. Leukonychia, the medical term for white nails, is the most common type of nail discolouration. It can affect the whole nail or, more commonly, just parts of the nail. Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs and long-term antibiotics, 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. They may conduct a full physical exam and potentially order a comprehensive blood panel to determine the underlying cause.
There are several factors that can trigger hand eczema, including frequent hand washing, exposure to irritants such as chemicals or detergents, and allergies to certain substances. People who work in occupations that require frequent hand washing or exposure to irritants, such as healthcare workers or cleaners, are at a higher risk of developing hand eczema.
The treatment for hand eczema typically involves avoiding triggers and irritants, keeping the hands moisturised, and using topical medications such as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. In more severe cases, oral medications or phototherapy may be recommended by a dermatologist.
It is important to note that hand eczema can sometimes lead to complications, such as bacterial or fungal infections, so it is crucial to seek medical advice if the condition does not improve with home treatments or if symptoms worsen.
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Medication
White spots under the nails can be caused by inflammatory skin diseases, such as nail psoriasis and hand eczema, which can lead to abnormal spots in the nail plate. Leukoderma can also cause white patches under the nail, and leukonychia is the medical term for white nails.
If you are concerned about white spots under your nails, it is best to consult your physician. A full physical exam can be conducted, which involves your doctor looking at your fingers and toes and potentially ordering a comprehensive blood panel. If the white spots do not grow out with the nail and disappear, or do not respond to over-the-counter treatment, it is recommended to see a board-certified dermatologist for evaluation.
Certain medications can also cause white spots on your nails, including chemotherapy drugs and long-term antibiotics such as sulfonamides. There are other forms of leukonychia that can be associated with internal conditions, such as liver disease, kidney disease, and even heart failure. For example, "half and half nails", where half the nail is entirely white, may be an indicator of kidney disease. Muehrcke’s lines, which are characterised by transverse or longitudinal white lines that run across the nail, may mean a deficiency in albumin protein.
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Frequently asked questions
White spots under the nails are usually caused by leukonychia, a problem with the nail bed under the nail. They can be caused by inflammatory skin diseases, like nail psoriasis and hand eczema, or by certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs and long-term antibiotics.
For some people, the white spots may appear as tiny dots speckled across the nail. For others, the spots may be larger and stretch across the entire nail plate.
If you are worried about white spots under your nails, it is best to consult your doctor. They may recommend a full physical exam, which involves looking at your fingers and toes and potentially ordering a comprehensive blood panel.
Yes, white spots under the nails can be an indication of underlying medical disorders or infections. In rare cases, they may be a sign of a more serious health condition, such as liver disease, kidney disease, or heart failure.
There are many myths about why white spots develop under the nails, such as the belief that they mean you recently told a lie or are about to receive a letter with money in it. However, these myths are far-fetched and not based on scientific evidence.
