Noah Sinclair
White spots on nails, known as leukonychia, are a common nail change. They can be caused by stress to the nail, such as an injury, or they can be a symptom of an underlying health condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical term | Leukonychia |
| Cause | Stress, injury, infection, allergic reaction, underlying health condition |
| Underlying health conditions | Diabetes, heart failure, HIV, liver cirrhosis, psoriasis, Bart-Pumphrey syndrome, Darier disease, vitamin deficiencies |
| Myths | Telling a lie, receiving a letter with money in it |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
White spots on nails are usually caused by stress to the nail
Leukonychia is the medical term for white nails and is the most common type of nail discolouration. It can affect the whole nail or, more commonly, just parts of the nail. There are several types of leukonychia. Total leukonychia refers to a condition where the whole nail plate is totally white in colour. Partial leukonychia is where only parts of the nail are affected. Punctate leukonychia presents as small white spots. Longitudinal leukonychia presents as a white band down the nail. Striate or transverse leukonychia is where one or more horizontal lines appear across the nail, parallel to the lunula.
In most cases, white spots on the nail are not a problem and will go away in time. White spots resulting from injury often grow out on their own without treatment. However, in some cases, they may indicate other health conditions. If the spots have formed due to an underlying condition, treatments recommended by a doctor may vary depending on the condition.
White spots on nails can sometimes be a rare symptom of many systemic diseases, including diabetes, heart failure, HIV, liver cirrhosis and psoriasis. Some hereditary conditions that affect your nails, including Bart-Pumphrey syndrome and Darier disease, may also cause white spots to appear.
Brown Nail Lines: Cancer Warning or Myth?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
White spots on nails can be caused by injury
However, white spots on nails can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition. They are sometimes associated with hereditary conditions, such as Bart-Pumphrey syndrome and Darier disease. In rare cases, they can be a symptom of systemic diseases, including diabetes, heart failure, HIV, liver cirrhosis and psoriasis.
Some people believe that white spots on nails are caused by vitamin deficiencies, but it is unclear whether this is true. If you are concerned about white spots on your nails, you should contact a healthcare professional.
The Significance of Painted White Nails and Their Meanings
You may want to see also
Explore related products
White spots on nails can be caused by an allergic reaction
In most cases, white spots on the nail are not a problem and will go away in time. However, if you are concerned about white spots on your nails, it is best to contact a healthcare professional. They may recommend treatments depending on the underlying condition.
White spots on your nails can sometimes be a rare symptom of systemic diseases, including diabetes, heart failure, HIV, liver cirrhosis, and psoriasis. They can also be caused by hereditary conditions, such as Bart-Pumphrey syndrome and Darier disease.
There are several types of leukonychia. Total leukonychia refers to a condition where the whole nail plate is totally white in colour. Partial leukonychia affects only parts of the nail. Punctate leukonychia presents as small white spots, while longitudinal leukonychia appears as a white band down the nail. Striate or transverse leukonychia causes one or more horizontal lines to appear across the nail, parallel to the lunula.
Curved Nails and Heart Health: What's the Link?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
White spots on nails can be a symptom of a systemic disease
Leukonychia can affect the whole nail or, more commonly, just parts of the nail. There are several types of leukonychia, including total leukonychia, where the whole nail is totally white in colour, and partial leukonychia, where only parts of the nail are affected. Punctate leukonychia presents as small white spots, while longitudinal leukonychia presents as a white band down the nail. Striate or transverse leukonychia causes one or more horizontal lines to appear across the nail, parallel to the lunula.
In most cases, white spots on the nail are not a problem and will go away in time. If the spots are due to an injury, they will often grow out on their own without treatment. However, if they are caused by an underlying condition, treatment may be required. People should contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned about white spots on their nails.
What Ceiling Nail Pops Mean and Why They Happen
You may want to see also
Explore related products
White spots on nails can be caused by a vitamin deficiency
Leukonychia can affect the whole nail or just parts of it. There are several types of leukonychia, including total leukonychia, where the whole nail plate is totally white in colour, and partial leukonychia, where only parts of the nail are affected. Another type is longitudinal leukonychia, which presents as a white band down the nail. Striate or transverse leukonychia is where one or more horizontal lines appear across the nail, parallel to the lunula.
In most cases, white spots on the nail result from an injury to the nail, such as hitting your nail against a hard surface. They can also be caused by an infection or an allergic reaction. However, in some cases, they may be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, such as diabetes, heart failure, HIV, liver cirrhosis or psoriasis. Hereditary conditions such as Bart-Pumphrey syndrome and Darier disease may also cause white spots to appear on the nails.
If you are concerned about white spots on your nails, it is best to contact a healthcare professional.
Ribbed Fingernails: What Do They Mean for Your Health?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
White spots on your nails are usually a sign that your nails have experienced some kind of stress, such as an injury, infection or allergic reaction. They can also be a symptom of a hereditary condition or a more serious health condition.
Doctors refer to white spots on nails as 'punctate leukonychia'. Leukonychia is the medical term for white nails.
If the spots are the result of an injury, they will often grow out on their own without treatment. However, if you are concerned about the spots, it is best to contact a healthcare professional.
