Why Do I Have White Spots On My Nails?
Healthy nails are pinkish in color, with a white crescent shape at the bottom. Some people develop white spots on their nails. They might come and go or may be there permanently and there are several reasons for this. The medical term for white spots on the nails is punctate leukonychia and these are some of the reasons they may make an appearance.
What Causes White Spots On Nails?
It is a common misconception that white spots on nails are a result of low levels of calcium in the body. Instead, white spots are usually the result of injury to the nail plate and consequently damage to the nail. The likely cause of this injury includes biting nails, poor manicures, hard labor or even exercise. In these cases, the white spots should disappear as the nail grows. White spots are most common in young children, but they can affect anyone of any age.
Are White Spots on Nails Normal?
White spots on nails are relatively common. As well as injury to the nail, medication can also cause the white spots or it could be a symptom of illness in the body, such as kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure or an iron deficiency. It is hard to believe but the nails are actually a good sign of the overall condition of your health. If your nails have white spots, they are cracked, damaged or brittle, it could be a sign that something else is going on with your health, although this is not necessarily the case. The level of your activity and the type of job you have can also cause a lot of day to day damage to your nails.
I would always advise you to seek medical advice if you have any other symptoms.
Home Remedies for White Spots on my Fingernails
If you are desperate to get rid of the white spots on your nails, you might want to get some nail art to hide them, while you get to the root of the problem. If you tend to bite your nails, stop doing this and see if your nail condition improves. If your daily activity is affecting the condition of your nails, get some gloves to wear and try to keep your nails moisturized.
Jojoba Oil by Leven Rose
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Do I Need to See a Doctor for the White Spots on my Nails?
If there is no obvious reason for the white spots on your nails, it might be worth visiting your doctor so he or she can look into the potential causes. They may do a blood test, nail biopsy or mycology to find out what has caused the condition. In most cases, white spots disappear in time, but it is worth getting them checked out; especially if there is no plausible reason why they have suddenly made an appearance or if they just won’t budge!
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