White Spots on Fingernails

Fingernails have long been associated with good health. So it is no wonder that people get worked up when they see any sort of discoloration on their finger as well as toe nails. Fingernails protect the underlying delicate tissues of the fingers. Nails are made up of layers of a hardened protein called keratin, (also in hair and skin). Healthy fingernails are mostly smooth, without ridges or spots. Fingernails with white spots is medically termed as Leukonychia, which is derived from the Greek words Leuko and Onyx, which means white and nail, respectively. This condition is more common in fingernails than in toenails, and is quite harmless.

Leuconychia or Fingernails with White Spots

Fingernails displaying white spots means one has Leuconychia, and depending upon the severity and the quantity of discoloration it has been categorized into the following:

• Leukonychia Punctata: The most common form of this condition, here small white spots appear on the nails.
• Leukonychia Striata: The nails whiten or discolor in shapes like a band.
• Leukonychia Partialis: Here the nail gets partially whitened or discolored.
• Leukonychia Totalis: In this form, the entire nail is whitened.

Causes of Leuconychia

In certain instances, a mild bacterial or fungal infection causes these white spots. The most common reason is an injury to the fingernail. Even a normal injury where the fingernails get bruised or hit against hard surfaces can cause white spots. When the nail bed is traumatized due to some harsh injury where a blood clot occurs, white spots will appear with passage of time. An allergic reaction to nail enamels or hardener, or a badly done manicure can also cause the nails to develop white spots. Certain strong drugs, or a chemotherapy treatment also result in white spots. Zinc deficiency could also lead to white spots on nails. People with congenital leukonychia also have white spots quite occasionally on the fingernails. In most of these above stated causes, white spots will appear and disappear on their own, it is when the fingernail begins to go white completely, then it becomes a cause of worry. Complete white nails could be a symptom of liver disease.

Leuconychia simply appears as a white spot, sometimes which appears more pink than white. Treatment is not required, if the spots cause no harm. White spots can be kept at bay through nail care, which involves preventive measures like reducing possibilities of minor injury to the nails, and avoid using products that can cause an infection or irritate the nail.