What causes white spots on fingernails?

I believe many people are familiar with the phenomenon of white spots appearing on their fingernails, because this symptom often appears on their fingernails. So what exactly causes white spots to appear on fingernails? Most people don't quite understand this. In fact, there are 7 reasons for the appearance of white spots on fingernails. The first reason is injury to the nails.

1. Nail injury

If the white spots on the nails appear in the form of dots or lines, it is called "leukonychia". The most common cause is injury to the base of the nail (also called the matrix). Since these white spots are likely to appear a long time after the injury, you may not remember that your nails have been injured. For example, if the nail surface has been hit against a door or workbench or hit by a hammer, these careless actions may cause white spots to appear on the nail surface. In addition, trimming your nails too frequently can also cause nail injuries.

2. Allergic reaction

Many women like manicures and always like to paint their nails in various colors and patterns, which can be said to be varied. However, frequently applying nail polish or using nail polish remover may cause white spots to grow on the nails due to allergic reactions.

3. Zinc deficiency

Zinc is an essential trace element in the human body. If the human body is deficient in zinc, white spots or white stripes will appear on the nails. The best way to solve zinc deficiency is to improve your diet. You should eat more zinc-rich foods on a daily basis, including oysters, baked beans, yogurt, crabmeat, pork shoulder, beef, spinach, nuts and whole grains.

4. Lack of protein

The nail bed refers to the piece of skin covered by a person's fingernail or toenail. People who lack protein in their bodies will have horizontal stripes on their nail beds. These horizontal stripes are called Milker's lines. Because these striations grow on the nail bed rather than on the nail surface, they do not grow with the nail.

These horizontal stripes generally disappear when protein levels in the body return to normal. In some rare cases, these horizontal stripes may be a sign of liver disease. At this time, there is a method to judge: try to press the nail surface. If the stripes disappear, these stripes are Milker's lines.

You can also eat more protein-rich foods, including: fish (salmon, tuna, etc.), pork tenderloin, lean beef, beans, yogurt, soy milk and nuts.

5. Calcium deficiency

There is a calcium-added nail strengthener on the market, which has led many people to believe that calcium deficiency can cause leukonychia, but in fact this statement lacks scientific basis. If your body is calcium deficient, you can supplement calcium by adjusting your diet, such as drinking more milk and other calcium-rich foods.

6. Fungal leukonychia

Fungal leukonychia is caused by a fungus that first appears on the toenail and then spreads to the nail bed. The toenails may be thin at first, but they may thicken and develop cracks, making it painful to wear shoes.

Because this disease can be easily confused with other diseases, in order to confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will ask you to cut a piece of toenail and examine it under a microscope or place it in a special container for a period of time to determine the type of fungus.

In the treatment of fungal leukonychia, a combination of oral antifungal drugs and topical ointments is usually recommended. Usually after 3 months, the symptoms will gradually improve and disappear. It should be noted that topical ointments cannot penetrate into the nail bed through the nail surface.

7. Some serious diseases

The appearance of white spots on the nails may also be a precursor to some serious diseases, such as liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, etc. Therefore, if you notice any abnormalities such as discoloration of your nails, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to effectively resolve the problem.

Don’t panic if you find white spots on your nails. You can try to make a preliminary judgment on the cause. Pay attention to a balanced diet and eat more fruits rich in vitamin C and foods containing iron, zinc and other elements. If the white spots appear due to a lack of something in the body or an injury, you can wait until the white spots grow to the part where the nails can be trimmed and then cut them off. Remember not to cut them too short, leave some length to protect the nail bed.