Your body has a way of communicating with you. Even when you ignore the signs, it keeps telling you in its own ‘body language’ if there is an underlying problem. Whether it is pimples or premature greying of your hair or even just bad breath, your body will always give you signals when it requires your attention towards something.
Oftentimes, certain bodily signs are normalized considering them as ‘natural’ happenings. Though many could be true, some are the indicators of certain deficiencies or reactions and one such sign is having white spots on your nails. Depending on the underlying reason, these spots can vary from hazy and faded to looking sharp and opaque. These are very common and you’ll see many people having them on their fingernails.
Let’s understand what these white spots on nails are, what are their causes, and how to treat and prevent them.
White Spots on Nails: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Simply put, white spots on nails indicate that your nails have gone through some trauma or stress. Despite not being a cause of concern, these white spots most commonly result from an injury to the nails. It may have happened if you bumped your nails into some hard surface or have a nail-biting habit. They might sometimes result from an allergy or a fungal infection or even as a side effect of certain medications.
Having white spots on your nails even has a medical name – it is called leukonychia. It is a common condition and not a disease or a reaction in itself. Leukonychia is generally harmless and causes visible white spots, lines, or streaks on your nails. It seldom indicates an underlying disease or health condition. Besides, if a person is suffering from leukoderma, the patches of discolored skin underneath the nail surface might appear as leukonychia.
If you consult a doctor regarding the white spots on your nails, he may call it a condition of partial leukonychia. In medical terms, there are three primary types of partial leukonychia:
1) Punctate Leukonychia: Here, small white spots appear randomly on your nails. It may be on one nail or many or all depending on the cause.
2) Transverse Leukonychia: Also known as Striate Leukonychia, this condition leads to multiple horizontal lines appearing across the nails. These lines are also sometimes called ‘Mees’ lines.
3) Longitudinal Leukonychia: In this situation, the nails develop a vertical white band or multiple vertical white lines resembling ridges.
Another type is total leukonychia. This is when your entire nail plate is affected by the condition and becomes totally white in color. White spots on nails are caused by multiple factors and here we will discuss the most common causes.
Common Causes of White Spots on Nails
Some of the common causes of having white spots on nails include:
1) Trauma or Injury:
Do you keep bumping your toenails on hard surfaces or randomly banging your fingernails on walls or furniture? Or do you have a nail-biting habit you cannot get rid of? Or even if you’re clumsy with your daily routine activities – all this might lead to frequent injuries to your nail plate or matrix. This eventually results in white spots on nails. Even using a lot of force on your tools while doing your manicures may lead to traumas or injuries.
2) Medication or Drugs
The heavy chemicals and toxic metals in some medicines like antibiotics may also result in white spots on nails. People going through chemotherapy treatments or suffering from UTIs usually tend to experience leukonychia. Chemicals such as lead, arsenic, sulfonamides, etc. are primarily responsible for this.
3) Allergic Reaction
More often than not, your nail surface may be allergic to some products you might not be aware of. The reaction with them may result in white spots appearing on the nail surface. These could be any nail products from nail polishes and removers to fake nails and salon extensions.
4) Fungal Infections
Fungal nail infections like a green fungus may leave its aftereffects as some faded spots on your nails. These look like the white spots and may eventually grow out with your nails. These are more common with fake nails like press-ons, especially if you do not perform proper removals. Tugging and pulling of the natural nail bed is what leads to leukonychia in such cases.
5) Underlying Diseases
White spots on nails are also sometimes caused by some underlying systematic diseases like diabetes, psoriasis, liver cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, etc. Even HIV and heart diseases may cause leukonychia as a side effect and the medications for these might also be a reason. Besides some deficiencies like iron, zinc, calcium, or protein intolerance could be another possible cause.
6) Hereditary
Surprisingly, you can say that having white spots on your nails is in your genes! Just as your other physical traits may resemble your parents, you may even inherit white nail spots from them.
Treatment for White Spots on Nails
How to treat white spots on nails depends on the cause. If the white spots are caused by trauma or injury and have only affected the nail surface, you have to wait till they grow out. Within 6-12 months as your affected fingernails or toenails grow out, you can simply trim the affected region with nail clippers to get rid of the problem spot.
However, if the cause of your leukonychia is something else or if the injury has affected the skin underneath your nail, it might be time to consult a medical practitioner. Your doctor might even go for some tests to assist him in the diagnosis. If the cause of the white nail spots is uncertain, the medical professional may ask you to get a blood test or biopsy done. He might also recommend a mycology if any fungal infection is suspected.
Ideally, there is no such thing as a treatment for white nail spots. You may either wait for them to grow out on their own if they’re harmless. Otherwise, if they are causing you some trouble or are recurring, you may consult your doctor.
Preventing White Spots on Nails
The best way to avoid white spots on nails altogether is to prevent them from happening. Here are some of the preventive measures you may adapt as a part of your lifestyle:
1) Avoid using nail polishes excessively. Opt for skin-friendly brands and give your nails frequent breaks between polish applications.
2) Always keep your nails trimmed and well-groomed. Having a shorter nail length is ideal for avoiding injuries.
3) Avoid getting your skin and nails in contact with chemical products and irritant substances. Always wear protective gloves when doing household chores or going for a swim. Keep your nails protected during other such activities that involve working with chemicals or heavy objects.
4) Keep your hands and nails hydrated and moisturized all the time. Drink enough water and prevent your nails from becoming dry and brittle by using moisturizers and cuticle oils.
Wrapping Up
White spots on nails may seem concerning at first glance, but understanding the causes, treatment options, and preventive measures can help you take better care of your nails. Whether it’s a result of trauma, a deficiency, or an allergic reaction, identifying the root cause is key to restoring your nails to their natural health. Remember, consistency is essential in any nail care routine, and paying attention to the small details, like those white spots, can lead to stronger and healthier nails in the long run.
By addressing the underlying factors, you can prevent white spots from appearing in the future. Prioritizing proper nail hygiene, balanced nutrition, and avoiding potential irritants will ensure that your nails stay in top condition. If the issue persists, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional, as it could be a sign of a more serious condition.
So, next time you spot something unusual on your nails, take a closer look and consider the various causes we’ve discussed. Healthy nails are not just an aesthetic concern – they are a reflection of your overall well-being. With the right care, you can keep them strong, smooth, and blemish-free.
