Caleb Foster
White patches on nails, also known as leukonychia, are a common occurrence and are usually not a cause for concern. They are often the result of a nail injury, but can also be caused by allergies, fungal infections, mineral deficiencies, heavy metal poisoning, or medication. In rare cases, they can indicate a more serious underlying health condition. Treatment options vary depending on the cause, and it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional if you are concerned about white patches on your nails.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Leukonychia
True leukonychia can be further divided into two categories based on how the nails look: total leukonychia, which is a complete whitening of the nail plate, and partial leukonychia, which has three subtypes. Total leukonychia usually affects all 20 nails. Partial leukonychia can be further divided into three types: punctate leukonychia, which occurs after nail biting, manicuring, knocks, bangs, and tight footwear use; striate leukonychia, also known as Mees lines or transverse leukonychia, which may follow damage to the nail matrix; and longitudinal leukonychia, which features smaller 1mm white lines visible under the nail plate and perpendicular to the nail bed.
What Ceiling Nail Pops Mean and Why They Happen
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nail trauma
The trauma can cause the nail to split, crack, or lift away from the nail bed. It can also result in blood under the nail, known as subungual hematoma, which may cause throbbing pain and bluish-black discolouration. If the injury is acute, a hole may need to be created in the nail plate to relieve the pressure and drain the accumulated blood. In some cases, the nail may need to be removed, and the nail bed repaired.
Nail injuries can be noticeable until the damaged nail grows out, which can take about two months for fingernails and four months for toenails. If the injury includes the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent. Repeated trauma to toenails can lead to deformities that may resemble a fungal infection, with thickened or discoloured nails that lift away from the nail bed.
Nail biting, a common cause of nail trauma, can also lead to acute paronychia, a type of infection where bacteria get underneath the tissue at the side of the nail, causing swelling and irritation. It can also cause horizontal ridging, depressions, and raised areas on the nails, as well as permanent shortening of the nails due to keratinization of the distal nail bed.
In addition to physical trauma, chemical trauma from certain nail polishes and acrylic nails can also cause white marks on the nails.
Purple Fingernails: What Does This Color Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Fungal infections
White spots on nails, also known as leukonychia, are usually harmless and the result of a nail injury. However, in some cases, they may be caused by fungal infections.
The main cause of onychomycosis is the dermatophyte, Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This fungus grows on the top layers of the nail, eventually spreading to the entire nail plate. Initially, small white patches appear on the nail surface, and as the fungus spreads, the nails dry out and the surface flakes and crumbles.
To treat a fungal infection, a doctor will likely prescribe oral antifungal medication. Fungal infections clear up slowly, so it may take several months for the nail to heal completely. In severe cases, the nail may need to be removed.
The Intricacies of Nail Salon 'Dip' Powder Treatments
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Medical conditions
White spots on nails, also known as leukonychia, are usually the result of a nail injury. However, in some cases, they may indicate an underlying medical condition.
White spots on nails can be indicative of several medical conditions. One such condition is Terry's nails, where most of the nail appears white except for a thin dark strip towards the tip. This condition is often a sign of severe vitamin deficiencies, which is extremely rare in people consuming a typical diet in the U.S. However, it is important to note that iron deficiency, in particular, does not usually cause white spots, but rather thin nails with raised ridges that curve inward.
In rare cases, leukonychia can be a sign of a serious illness or a chronic condition, such as liver failure. Additionally, white spots on nails can be a symptom of certain medications, including retinoids, antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and drugs used to prevent organ rejection. It is worth noting that there is no treatment for drug-induced nail spots, but consulting a doctor about switching medications may be an option.
White spots on nails can also be a sign of heavy metal poisoning from metals like lead, arsenic, thallium, or strontium. Arsenic poisoning, in particular, can cause white bands called Mees' lines to develop across the nails. Exposure to these toxic metals can occur through contaminated food or inhalation of industrial fumes.
Furthermore, inflammatory skin diseases, such as nail psoriasis, alopecia, and hand eczema, can affect the nail matrix and lead to abnormal spots in the nail plate. Hailey-Hailey disease is another inflammatory condition that involves nail problems and blisters on certain areas of skin.
Fungal infections, such as onychomycosis, are a common cause of white spots on nails. These infections occur when microbes from the environment enter through small cracks in the nails or surrounding skin. Superficial onychomycosis, caused by the fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes, is the second most common type of nail infection and typically affects toenails. Initially, small white patches appear on the nail surface, which then spreads, causing the nails to dry out, flake, and crumble.
Black Nail Polish: A Subtle Expression of Individuality
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Poisoning
White spots on nails, known as leukonychia, are a common condition and are generally harmless. They often appear after nail biting, picking, or bending back due to injury. However, in rare cases, they can be a sign of poisoning or medication side effects.
Additionally, chemotherapy treatment for cancer can also lead to white spots on the nails. This is due to the medications used to kill or stop the division of cancer cells.
If you suspect heavy metal poisoning, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention and undergo a blood test to detect abnormal levels of these metals.
It is important to note that white spots on nails due to poisoning are relatively rare. More commonly, they are caused by injury to the nail plate or matrix, which can be prevented with proper nail care.
Raised Lines on Nails: What Your Body is Telling You
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
White patches on nails, also known as leukonychia, are common and usually do not indicate a serious problem. They are often the result of a nail injury.
Leukonychia is the medical term for white nails. It can affect the whole nail or just parts of the nail. It can be divided into two types: true leukonychia and apparent leukonychia. True leukonychia occurs when damage to the nail causes the white spot or line. Apparent leukonychia occurs when the bed underneath the nail is affected.
Leukonychia is usually caused by injury to the nail. However, it can also be caused by allergies to nail products, fungal infections, mineral deficiency, heavy metal poisoning, or chemotherapy treatment.
If the leukonychia is caused by a fungal infection, your doctor will likely prescribe oral antifungal medication. If it is caused by an underlying medical condition, the recommended treatment will depend on the condition. In most cases, white spots on the nails will go away over time without treatment.
If you are concerned about white spots on your nails, you should see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if you have white lines along your nail or if your entire nail is white.
