Do you have white spots, marks, patches or dots on your nails? This article contain insights on the causes of white spots on nails and how to get rid of them using various treatments and remedies.
White Spots on Nails
Most people experience white spots on their nails at some point in life. The white spots may disappear without treatment as the nail grows while others may appear frequently.
It is important to find out the cause of such spots as they can be symptomatic to internal body causative conditions.
Your body may be trying to send a signal of unhealthy condition especially when the white marks comes in different patterns frequently. Such marks are not supposed to be ignored. Some of the causes of this nail condition includes the following:
- Injuries to the nail
An injury to the base or matrix of the nail can cause white mark, dots, lines or patterns. Different injuries such as banging your nails in a door or with a hammer can cause such spots. They may not appear immediately after an injury, it may take several weeks to notice them when you will have forgotten about the injury.
- Nail infections
White spots on nails can also be a symptom of different fungal infections such as yeast or mold. The white spots caused by an infection normally appears on the cuticle or tip of the nail. Such infections may cause the nail to become flaky, thick and then split or toe nail falling off. It may also be accompanied with some pain while wearing shoes.
Fungal superficial onychomycosis is an example of such infections that causes white marks on the nails. It normally affects the toenails and can lead to loss of nails if not treated. Prescribed oral antifungal medication and other topical ointments can be used to cure such infections.
- Allergic reactions
The nails can also develop white dots or marks when they suffer from allergic reactions to some of the nail care products. In most cases, white spots on nails normally develops after trying a new nail polish, nail hardener or polish remover. The use of acrylic nail also causes trauma to your fingernails that results to this condition.
- Deficiency of certain minerals
Different minerals in your body plays a very important role in ensuring that your nails and other organs are healthy. Such minerals includes zinc and calcium. Zinc deficiency causes white streaks or spots on the nails. Taking a diet that contain such minerals may help to resolve your nail problem.
There are various food that you need to in cooperate in your diet that are rich in zinc. Such foods includes yogurt, crab, spinach, nuts, whole grains, oyster and baked beans. On the other hand, calcium also plays an important role in ensuring that white spots on nails does not occur.
Women mostly suffers from calcium deficiency and as a result they may develop the white spots on toenail and fingernails. You may also suffer from other symptoms such as dry and brittle hair or thinning. You can simply fix this problem by including calcium in your diet. There are various products and food that contain calcium such as calcium fortified food and orange juice.
- Protein deficiency
Protein deficiency in your body may cause horizontal white bands that appears on the nail bed. Since the bands are deeper on your nail bed, they doesn’t disappear with the growth of the nail. Such lines normally disappears when the level of protein increases in your body. Consider taking food rich in proteins such as fish, turkey beast, and lean beef, beans, yoghurt or pork loin.
- Serious internal body conditions
There are various internal body conditions that present different symptom on outer body surface including white spots on nails. It is important to visit your doctor right away you start experiencing discoloration of nails or yellow toenails. It may be easier to treat your condition when diagnosed on time. Some of the conditions includes: liver diseases, kidney diseases, or anemia.
White Spots on Fingernails
White marks on nails are also called leukonychia or leuconychia. It is a medical term used for white spots or marks on the nails. This condition is harmless when caused by minor injuries such as nail biting or other injuries to the nail base or matrix.
Leukonychia on fingernails is a symptom of calcium, zinc or other vitamin deficiency in your diet. However, other people say that the deficiency of the above minerals and vitamins doesn’t cause this condition.
The marks usually disappears when the fingernails grows. There are various types of leukonychia that you may experience. They include the following:
- Leukonychia totalis
This is whitening of your entire nail. It may be a symptom of low levels of albumin in your body. It is a condition that is commonly experienced by individuals who are suffering from kidney or liver failure and problem in absorption of proteins in the body. Taking of certain antibiotics for long time may also result to this condition.
- Leukonychia partialis
This is the whitening of parts of your fingernails, it may cause white spots on nails, marks or strips. When leukonychia partialis is not controlled, it may lead to leukonychia totalis which is the whitening of the whole fingernail. However, there are three types of leukonychia partialis that includes: transvers, punctate and longitudinal.
Leukonychia transverse normally causes whitening of the nail in bands from the base or matrix to the cuticle. The bands usually runs parallel to each other. In most cases, this condition is caused by physical injury to the nail matrix such as slamming the nail with door, counter or hummer. The trauma caused on the nail during manicure may also cause this condition. Various infections and illnesses such as measles, malaria, leprosy or herpes may cause this condition.
Leukonychia punctate is referred to as true leukonychia, it is common and causes white dots or spots to appear on the nails. This condition is common among the children who bite the nails and other nail bitters. It is commonly caused by trauma on the nail. A single or a couple of fingernail may experience this condition after several weeks from injury. This white spots on nails normally disappears after the nail has fully re-grown.
Longitudinal leukonychia
This type of leukonychia is not very common. It causes small longitudinal lines to appear under the nail plate. It is associated with nail bed infections. Such lines normally disappears after treatment of the causative condition.
White Marks on Nails
White marks on nails or medically known as leukonychia commonly results from an injury to the nails. Although other internal body conditions may cause this condition, there is a number of things you can do to avoid or minimize injuries on your nails. They include the following:
- Being careful with your nails
The white marks may take up to six weeks to develop on your nails after an injury. This simply means that you will have forgotten about banging your fingers in a car door or hammering them. It does not mean that only major injuries will cause this condition, the minor injuring you may be assuming may also cause the white mars to appear on your nails.
You are supposed to avoid habits that may cause minor injuries to your nails such as biting and using then to cut or open bottle tops. You are also supposed to avoid exerting pressure on them. The nails need the same care as that given to your skin.
- Avoid harsh nail care products and nail polish
The use of certain nail care products and polish may cause white spots on nails due to allergic reaction. Try to change such products when you notice white marks on your nails. The nails may be trying to let you know that the product you are using is not suitable for them.
- The manicurist should be gentle on your nails
Buffing and filling the nails can also cause damage on the nail. Your manicurist should be gentle while performing his or her services. Many of the manicurist may deny this by saying that this condition result from deficiency of some vitamins, minerals or proteins. But the fact remain that rough manicure services may damage the nails.
- Protect your nails from minor injuries
Protect the nails while doing activities that may cause minor injuries. Such activities includes washing, gardening and cleaning among others. The hands are also supposed to be protected from germs that may enter the nails to cause an infection.
White Spots on Toenails
White spots on toenails is quite common among many people. The marks may vary from white to yellowish and appears on the cuticle of the nail. The common white spots appears on the nails as a result of injury caused on the matrix from wearing ill-fitting shoes.
Fungi is the common cause of white spots on nails. The fungi is found in the dumpy areas like public washrooms and pools. You may get infected while walking in such areas with bear feet’s.
You are also likely to get infected if you are covering the toenails with polish all the time. The polish prevents the toenails from getting free oxygen and hence encourages the spread of the fungal infection.
The common types of fungi that affects the toe nails includes the yeast, mold and dermatophyte. Wearing of closed and ill-fitting shoes can also prevent the toenails from getting oxygen. This may encourage the spread of fungal infection especially is you have sweaty feet.
You can prevent fungal infections by ensuring that your shoes have enough room for the toes. Consider wearing open shoes that allow free oxygen circulation on the toes. Avoid walking in dumpy areas that may contain fungi with bear feet’s
How to Get Rid Of White Spots On Nails Fast
There are various ways you can employ to get rid of white spots or marks on your nails. They include various treatment and remedies that ensures a healthy growth of your nails. They include the following:
- Let them grow out
The easiest way to get rid of white marks on nails is to let them grow. The nail will grow and move together with the marks. After it has separated from the bed, you can now clip it off or file them down. The only thing you need to have is patience, it may take several month to grow out.
- Keep your nails and hands clean
Some of the marks are caused by different infections. Keeping your hands and nails clean all the time can help to prevent such infections. You are supposed to wash them thoroughly with an anti-septic solution to kill the fungi and other micro-organisms that can cause this condition.
- Take a balanced diet
It is believed that white marks on nails are sometimes caused by deficiencies of some nutrients in your diet. Taking a balanced diet is healthy for your entire body including the nails. Your diet should include plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, fish, meat and low fat dairy. You may also consume foods and drinks that are fortified with calcium for healthy nails.
- Cover them with nail polish
Covering the affected nails with a polish may help to get rid of white spots on nails. By the time the polish wears off, the marks may have disappeared. There are different colors of nail polish and you may consider the one that suits you.
- Moisturize your nails
It is important to keep your hands moisturized all the time. Consider using a hand lotion and apply on the areas around your nails to keep the healthy. You may apply the lotion twice a day for the best results.
- Visit your doctor for treatment
Nail discoloration can result from internal body conditions. If your condition persists after trying some of the home remedies for toenail fungus and other treatments for the marks, it is the high time to see your doctor. He or she will diagnose your condition and give the appropriate treatment that will help your marks to fade away.
More sources and references:
http://www.newhealthguide.org/White-Spots-On-Nails.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukonychia
http://www.md-health.com/White-Spots-On-Nails.html