WHO DOESN’T get those strangely mysterious white spots on their nails from time to time?
White spots on nails are very common, everyone at some point in their lives experience them. These spots can indicate a few different things, because the different patterns of white spots may be symptomatic of different causative conditions, but the underlying theme is that your body is trying to tell you that you are not healthy. It’s essential to know the causes and take respective measures to treat them.
There is a generally accepted opinion that the main reason for the appearance of white spots on the the nails is a lack of calcium in the body and the problem is solved by increased intake of this mineral.
However, research conducted at the German Institute of General Medicine in Hanover showed that this Opinion is actually a myth.
The doctor from the Institute Ulrike-Junius-Voker explained that the nail is composed of 100 to 150 thin layers, of which only 0.2% containing calcium.
Small nail trauma such as the stroke or minor injuries, cause changes in parts of the nail are visible as discoloration or small pockets of air on their surface.
There are cases where the reason for the appearance of white spots is precisely the lack of calcium, but it is very rare and is associated with patients with severe deficiency of calcium triggered by some other diseases.
There are times when white spots can appear on the nails due to an allergic reaction to nail polish, nail hardener or even nail polish remover.
Application of acrylic nails on your fingers can cause trauma to the nail base.
Nail Injuries
The white spots on the fingernails, which can appear as dots or lines, are called leukonychia. An injury to the base of the nail, which is also known as the matrix, can result in the appearance of these white spots on the nails
Due to the fact that these spots take some time to appear after the injury, you may have forgotten all about the injury. Some examples of the types of injuries that can cause these spots are banging the finger on the door or banging it on the countertop or with a hammer. Having manicures done frequently can cause injuries to the nails as well.
Serious Diseases
There are some serious diseases that present symptoms like white spots on the nails. Therefore, it is extremely important to see a doctor if you notice any discolorations in your nails. The earlier you see the doctor the more likely it is to treat the condition effectively.
- Liver disease, like hepatitis and cirrhosis, is one of the more serious causes of white spotted fingernails.
- Kidney disease also has symptoms that affect the nails, such as nails that are possibly white and pink. The nails can be turned partially white due to kidney failure.
- Anemia, which is also a sign of iron deficiency, can produce pale or white nail beds. Adding iron to the diet, such as leafy greens and meats, and avoiding dairy, will help to reverse the iron deficiency.
- There are some cases in which the person may develop koilonychias, which is abnormally shaped thin fingernails with raised ridges that curve inward.
