Leukonychia – All the reasons behind, Medical explanation

Have you ever noticed some white spots on your nails? | Do you know what exactly it is and why it is?

Well, It’s called the Leukonychia condition where white dots or lines appear on your nails. This is one of the most common issues and is entirely harmless. So many of our healthy adults have these spots at some point in their lives, So developing them is likely not a sign of a serious medical condition.

These white spots may appear as tiny dots speckled across the nail to some people. For others, the white spots may be larger and stretch across the entire nail. The spots are affactable and can affect one nail to several.

An injury to the nail bed is the most common cause of leukonychia. These injuries may occur if you get a pinch or strike to your nail or finger. Frequent pedicures and manicures or the use of gel or acrylic to nails can also damage nail beds. Several other causes may also be responsible for the unusual spots on the nails.

Causes of Leukonychia

White spots or dots on the nails common widely. Some issues can cause them. Such as:

• Nail injury
• Fungal infection
• Mineral deficiency
• Allergic reaction

Nail polish, Gloss, Hardener, or Nail Polish Remover may cause Allergy which further led to white spots on your nails. The use of acrylic or gel to the nails can also badly damage your nails and may cause these white spots.

Frequent “manicures” to the nails may also cause damage that results in these white spots on your nails. Pressure applied by the manicurist may damage the nail beds.

Injury to the nail

White spots or dots on your nail can also be caused by an injury at the base of your fingernail and as it grows. However, as long as it takes your fingernails to grow, you may not recall the injury. Some injuries won’t show up for four weeks or more.

Common causes of injuries to the nails include:

• Striking your finger with a hammer
• Hitting your nails against a counter or desk
• Shutting your fingers in a door

Fungi

White superficial onychomycosis, a common nail fungus can appear on the toenails. The first sign of the infection maybe a few small white dots on the nails. The infection can grow and spread to the nail bed. Toenails may appear flaky and then become thick and brittle.

Mineral deficiency

In some cases, these white spots or dots along with your nails are caused by a deficiency in certain minerals or vitamins. Most commonly, the deficiencies linked to this issue are zinc deficiency and calcium deficiency.

Rare causes

Some rare causes for white spots on nails include:

• Bad health
• Heart disease
• Pneumonia
• Renal (kidney) failure
• Psoriasis or eczema
• Arsenic poisoning

These causes are very rare. Your doctor will likely explore a host of other conditions if you have persistent white spots on your nails before considering these more serious issues.

Symptoms of Leukonnychia

• Tiny pinpoint-sized dots
• Larger individual dots
• Larger “lines” across the nail

The cause for the white spots on your nail may dictate how the spots appear. Such as,

A nail injury may cause a large white dot in the middle of the nail.
An allergic reaction may cause several dots all over the nail.

The appearance of the white dots or lines may be different on each nail.

A person may have additional signs or symptoms which depends on the cause of the white spots.

Treatment of Leukonychia

Treatment depends on the cause of the white spots.

Proper Intake of Minerals

Allergic reaction

Just stop using those kinds of stuff such as Nail polish, Goss, or Nail product you think that is responsible for your allergic reaction. If you continue to have symptoms of an allergic reaction after you stop using the products, consult your doctor.

Nail injuries

Most nail injuries just need time to heal. As the nail grows, the damage will move up the nail bed. Over time, the white spots will disappear entirely.

Fungi

The most common treatment is an oral antifungal medication. Probably many doctors will also prescribe a topical antifungal treatment. The average treatment time is three months, and it’s important to use the treatment through the prescribed period of time. Otherwise, you may not fully treat the infection.

Cosmetic treatments

If the discolouration of your nails is troublesome or you’re seeking a temporary way to cover them up, use nail polish. Skin tone–coloured nail polish is a natural way to hide the spots. And colourful polishes are certainly fun and offer loads of personality.