White spots, known as leukonychia in medical jargon, can take different forms. They can form several small spots or a single large one, small dots or streaks that start at the base of the nail and extend to its tip. These spots can affect one or more nails, and can even appear on both hands or feet. Their color can sometimes turn yellow.
It’s not always easy to determine the origin of these white spots, especially since they can be caused by a wide variety of factors. In this guide, wholesale nail supply distributors explain to you the possible causes of white spots on nails.
Physical trauma causing white spots
Have your nail recently suffered a trauma (impact, injury, pinching, etc.)? This could be the cause of the white spots on your nail. Nails are fragile, and impacts don’t necessarily have to be violent to damage them. Even a slight trauma is enough to trigger leukonychia: for example, pushing back the cuticles with somewhat abrupt movements or biting your nails. The impacts will cause small lesions that disrupt the keratin production process – hence the presence of white spots.
Prolonged nail polish wear
Are you a fan of nail polish, especially semi-permanent nail polish? Be aware that wearing nail polish regularly and for long periods can damage your nails. Therefore, before applying nail polish, in addition to carefully preparing your nails with a manicure and pedicure set, don’t forget to apply a base coat. Nail polish prevents the nail from breathing and promotes keratin buildup. This can result in white spots on the nails.
A deficiency due to an unbalanced diet
We often hear that white spots on the nails are due to a lack of calcium. This is actually a misconception: including more dairy products in your diet won’t make them disappear. While certain deficiencies, such as zinc, iron, or calcium, can indeed affect the health of our nails, they generally don’t explain the presence of white spots on their own. Keep in mind, however, that a balanced diet plays an important role in the beauty of your nails and can only be beneficial.
Fungal Infection, Often the Cause of Nail Spots
Fungal infection is caused by the presence of fungi on the nails (in this case, it is called onychomycosis). It can appear on the fingernails or toenails as white or yellowish spots. Without specific treatment, the fungal infection and its white spots will gradually spread to cover the entire surface of the nail, eventually reaching the matrix. Contagious, it can also affect adjacent nails or be transmitted to other family members. A nail affected by fungal infection subsequently exhibits symptoms other than white spots. It may thicken, gradually become brittle, and even eventually peel off.
Other Causes of Nail Spots
Psoriasis is a disease that can affect the matrix or bed of the nail. This can lead to the appearance of colored spots (ranging from white to orange), peeling, or thickening of the nail.
Less commonly, white spots on the nails are caused by a disease such as cirrhosis, kidney failure, or certain cancers. In this case, leukonychia is accompanied by other symptoms and should not be the first manifestation of the disease in question.
If you have no idea where these spots are coming from, observe their progression: if they progress toward the edge of the nail as it grows, they are probably due to impacts or trauma. If not, the diagnosis then leans toward a fungal infection, psoriasis, or another disease.
