Do you also have white spots on your nails? (Leukonychia) - Let's find out exactly what this is!

Have you ever looked at a nail on your hand or toe and thought, "What is this white spot?"? One of the most popular beliefs among us is that these appear when there is a lack of calcium or vitamins. Some people get scared when they see these spots. What exactly is the cause of these white spots on the nails? Is this something to be afraid of? Okay, so today we will talk about it in a simple way.

What are these white spots on the nails? (Leukonychia)

In medical terms, these white spots or streaks on the nails are called leukonychia. This is a very common condition. It can be divided into three main types. Simply put, this classification is based on where the spot occurs.

Some people may have one or two large spots. Others may have many small dots. They may appear on just one nail, or on several nails.

So why do these white spots appear?

Most of the time, white spots on your nails are caused by some kind of trauma or injury to your nail. That means when your nail gets hit somewhere, or gets stuck, etc. This is the most common cause and there is no reason to worry.

However, in addition to this common cause, several other factors can affect this.

The main causes of white spots

• Trauma to the nail: This is the most common cause . Things like getting your toe stuck in a door, getting your nail stuck somewhere, wearing tight shoes, and constantly biting your nails can damage the nail matrix, causing white spots. If you regularly go to a salon for manicures, you can sometimes get these injuries from the tools they use and from cleaning your nails too hard.

• Allergies: Some of the things you use on your nails can cause your body to be allergic to them. For example, things like nail polish, nail polish remover, and nail hardener can cause white spots as an allergic reaction.

• Fungal Infections: Some fungal infections can also cause white spots on the nails. However, in a fungal infection , in addition to the whiteness of the nail, it also shows other symptoms such as thickening, yellowing, and breaking easily .

• Medications and Poisoning: These white spots can also appear as a side effect of some medications. For example, chemotherapy and some sulfa drugs. In addition, they can also be seen in cases of poisoning such as heavy metals such as arsenic and lead. This is a very rare occurrence. If you suspect such poisoning, you should immediately consult your doctor and, if necessary, call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

• Systemic Diseases: Very rarely , white spots can appear as a symptom of a systemic disease such as diabetes, heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or kidney disease. But this is very rare . Therefore, do not be afraid of a serious illness when you see a white spot on your nail. Usually, other symptoms definitely appear with such a disease.

• Hereditary Conditions: Some rare genetic conditions can also cause white spots on the nails.

Is a vitamin or mineral deficiency really the cause?

This is a question that many people ask. Many people think that this happens when they are deficient in calcium, zinc, or iron.

If you suspect you have a nutritional deficiency, the best thing to do is to see your doctor for advice.

How do you treat these white spots?

Treatment depends on the cause of these white spots.

• If it's due to an injury: There's nothing special you can do. As the nail grows, the spot will gradually rise, and eventually you can remove it when you trim the nail. It takes about 6-9 months for a fingernail to grow completely. It can take about 12-18 months for a toenail to grow completely. So you have to be patient.

• For other reasons: If white spots continue to appear without an injury, your doctor may do some tests to find the cause.
• Nail biopsy/fungal culture: A small piece of the nail is scraped and examined under a microscope to determine if it is a fungal infection or another skin condition.
• Blood Test: If you suspect that you have another medical condition, a blood test can be done to confirm it.

If a fungal infection is confirmed, your doctor will prescribe you an oral antifungal or a topical antifungal cream. It is important to use the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise, the infection may return.

When is it best to see a doctor?

Usually, a white spot is nothing to worry about. However, if you have the following symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor.

• If the nails break easily along with the white spots, if the color of the nails changes, if you see pits or cross lines (Beau's lines) on the nails .
• If there are other serious symptoms in the body (e.g. extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, blurred vision, weight loss) along with white spots on the nails.
• If the entire nail has turned white or if the white spots are increasing.
• If there is no improvement despite treatment.

Can white spots be prevented?

Yes, this risk can be reduced by taking care of a few simple things.

• Protect your nails: Wear gloves when doing heavy work, gardening, or using tools like hammers. Wear protective shoes that don't restrict your feet.
• Moisturize your nails: After washing your hands, apply a moisturizer to your hands and nails.
• Keep your nails short: When your nails grow long, they are more likely to get hurt.
• Stop the habit of biting your nails: This is a habit that often causes injuries to the nails.
• Avoid harsh chemicals: If you wear nail polish frequently, give your nails a break sometimes.

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