Sophia Delgado
White spots on your nails are a common condition and are usually harmless. They are often the result of a nail injury called leukonychia. However, they may also be caused by fungal infections, allergies, mineral deficiencies, or heavy metal poisoning. Treatment for leukonychia depends on its cause and can include medication, eliminating exposure to irritants, or simply giving your nails time to heal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common causes | Leukonychia, nail injury, allergies, fungal infection, mineral deficiency, heavy metal poisoning, vitamin deficiency, dehydration, medication |
| Treatments | Antifungal medication, eliminating exposure to irritants, giving nails time to heal, oral medication, nail removal and regrowth, moisturising |
| Prevention | Avoid manicures, wear well-fitted shoes, change socks daily, avoid nail polish, nail glue, acrylic nails, and other damaging products |
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What You'll Learn
Treatments for white spots on nails
White spots on your nails are usually harmless and are often the result of a nail injury called leukonychia. They can also be caused by allergies, fungal infections, mineral deficiency, or heavy metal poisoning. Here are some treatments for white spots on nails:
Medication
If your white spots are caused by a fungal infection, your doctor may prescribe oral or topical antifungal medication. Fungal infections can make your nails look discoloured, thick, or cracked, and they can be difficult to treat. It can take several months for your nail to heal completely, and in severe cases, the nail may need to be removed.
Eliminating exposure to irritants
If your white spots are caused by an allergy, eliminating the use of certain products on your nails may help. This includes nail polish, nail gloss, nail hardener, nail polish remover, and fake nails. It's also important to be cautious when getting manicures, as overuse of electric files or aggressive cuticle pushing can damage your nails.
Nail care
If your white spots are caused by nail trauma or injury, you can simply let your nails grow out until you can remove the discoloured part with nail clippers or scissors. To promote healthy nail growth, you can moisturize your nails with emollient cream after bathing and avoid damaging habits such as nail biting or picking.
Treating underlying conditions
In some cases, white spots on your nails may be associated with underlying health conditions such as diabetes or vitamin deficiencies. Treating these underlying conditions can help resolve the issue. It is important to consult a doctor if you suspect an underlying condition or if the white spots are persistent or worsening.
Preventing nail fungus
To prevent nail fungus, it is important to practice good nail hygiene. This includes washing your hands and feet thoroughly and ensuring they are completely dry. Changing your socks daily and wearing well-fitted, ventilated shoes can also help prevent nail fungus.
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Potential causes of white spots on nails
White spots on your nails are a common condition and are usually harmless. They are often the result of a nail injury, but several other factors may be responsible. Here are some potential causes of white spots on your nails:
Leukonychia
Leukonychia is a common condition that causes white spots or streaks on your fingernails or toenails. It is an injury to the nail matrix, the base of your fingernail that produces the nail plate. An injury to this area can cause white spots as your nail grows. Leukonychia can manifest as tiny dots or larger spots stretching across the entire nail plate, affecting one or several nails. While rare, true leukonychia is an inherited condition caused by a gene mutation passed down from one or both parents.
Allergies
Your immune system may interpret certain nail products as allergens, leading to white spots. These products include nail polish, gloss, hardeners, nail polish remover, and fake nails. Additionally, chemicals used in the application and removal of acrylic or gel nails can cause chemical trauma, resulting in white spots.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections can cause your nails to become discoloured, exhibiting white spots or a white film covering parts or all of the nail. These infections occur when microbes from the environment enter through small cracks in your nails or the surrounding skin.
Mineral Deficiency
Some experts suggest that white spots on your nails may indicate a deficiency in minerals like calcium, zinc, or iron. However, this theory is disputed, and more research is needed. Maintaining a balanced diet and adequate vitamin levels can help prevent such deficiencies and reduce the occurrence of white spots.
Medications
Certain medications, such as retinoids, antibiotics, and blood pressure medications, can cause white spots on your nails. These spots may appear as white lines across the nail, indicating nail bed damage.
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How to prevent white spots on nails
White spots on nails, known as leukonychia, are usually harmless and are commonly caused by nail injuries such as biting your nails or picking at them. In such cases, the spots will grow out with the nail and can be clipped off. However, leukonychia can also be a sign of vitamin deficiencies, mineral deficiencies, poisoning, medication, or underlying illnesses such as liver disease, kidney disease, or heart failure.
To prevent white spots on your nails, you should:
- Protect your nails from injury by wearing gloves when doing tasks that may cause your nails to be pinched, hit, or smashed.
- Keep your nails trimmed short to avoid bumping and snagging.
- Avoid over-filing or buffing your nails.
- Avoid artificial nails, gel manicures, nail polish, nail glue, and acrylic nails as these can damage your nails.
- Keep your nails and hands moisturized.
- Eat a balanced diet and maintain adequate levels of vitamins to prevent mineral deficiencies.
- Take zinc, calcium, selenium, and iron supplements to prevent mineral deficiency.
If you notice white lines along your nail, your entire nail turning white, or other nail changes such as pits or nail splitting, you should consult a healthcare professional. They can help diagnose your condition and recommend a treatment plan.
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When to see a doctor about white spots on nails
White spots on your nails are usually harmless and will go away over time. They often appear after an injury to your nails, like bumping them against a hard surface, hitting them with a tool, or biting them. In most cases, the spots will grow out with the nail until you can cut them off.
However, in rare cases, white spots can indicate a more serious underlying condition. If you notice any of the following, it may be time to consult a doctor:
- The white spots are persistent, worsening, or not growing out with the nail.
- You notice other symptoms such as swelling, changes in colour, or a uniform appearance of white spots on your nails.
- You have concerns or are worried about the appearance of the white spots.
- You suspect the white spots may be caused by a fungal infection, which can cause your nail to crack, thicken, lift, or turn yellow or brown.
- You believe the white spots may be related to heavy metal poisoning, which can cause white bands called Mees' lines to develop across your nails.
- You are experiencing other severe symptoms alongside the white spots.
At your appointment, the doctor will typically inspect your nails and may perform a physical examination, including a comprehensive blood panel, to determine the underlying cause. They may then provide a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options, such as antifungal medications or topical treatments.
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Types of leukonychia
White spots on your nails are usually harmless and are generally not a cause for concern. This condition is called leukonychia, and it can be caused by damage to the nail plate or matrix, fungal infections, allergies, or certain medications. Leukonychia can manifest in different patterns, and it is important to understand the various types to identify potential causes and treatments.
- Punctate Leukonychia: This type presents as small white spots on the nail, usually measuring 1-3 mm in size. It is the least severe form of true leukonychia and is commonly observed in the fingernails of children and manual workers. These spots may be caused by minor trauma to the proximal nail fold and the underlying matrix. They can also be caused by a subungual hematoma, leading to abnormal matrix keratinization.
- Longitudinal Leukonychia: This type of leukonychia appears as a white band running down the nail. It is often caused by trauma and is frequently observed in the fingernails of women due to manicures.
- Striate or Transverse Leukonychia: This type presents as one or more horizontal lines across the nail, parallel to the lunula (the lighter crescent shape at the bottom of the nail). These lines are also known as Mees lines. Transverse leukonychia can be caused by manicures, and it is often seen in individuals who get manicures too often or whose nails are subjected to repeated trauma during the process. Additionally, transverse white lines can be indicative of arsenic poisoning, thallium intoxication, cyclosporine treatment, chemotherapy, bacterial or parasitic infections, autoimmune diseases, or hematologic disorders.
- Total Leukonychia: This refers to a condition where the entire nail plate is completely white. It can be inherited and is caused by a gene mutation passed down from one or both parents. Those with total leukonychia due to hereditary factors typically present with white nails at birth or early infancy.
It is important to note that apparent leukonychia, which results from alterations to the nail bed, should also be considered. This type of leukonychia lessens or disappears under pressure and does not grow out with the nail. Additionally, pseudoleukonychia refers to a white discoloration of the nail plate that does not originate from the matrix or the bed and is usually superficial.
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Frequently asked questions
The white stuff on your nails is likely to be a result of a nail injury, fungal infection, mineral deficiency, or an allergy. Treatment depends on the cause. If it is due to an injury, you can simply let your nails grow out and then clip off the white spots. If it is due to a fungal infection, your doctor will likely prescribe oral antifungal medication. If it is due to an allergy, you should stop using the product that is causing the allergy.
Fingernails grow about 3 millimetres a month, while toenails grow about 1 millimetre in the same period.
Common causes of white spots on nails include injuries to the nail plate or nail matrix, fungal infections, allergies, and certain medications.
Signs of a fungal nail infection include white spots, streaks, or larger areas of white on the nails. The nails may also become thick, flaky, brittle, or discoloured.
To prevent white spots on your nails, you can avoid behaviours that may cause damage, such as nail biting or using harsh chemicals on your nails. You can also keep your nails moisturized and limit the use of nail polish, nail glue, and acrylic nails.
