What's that white mark that shows up on our finger nails?

Question

Ever so often, a white spot shows up on one or two of my finger nails and I have to wait until it grows out enough to be cut off...does anyone know what that white stuff is and what it means?

Answer 1

Should I be concerned about white spots on my fingernails? By Nelson Lee Novick, MD, FACP, FAAD


May 8, 2000 -- In most cases, no. While there are many reasons for these white spots (called leukonychia), most of them are due to mild trauma -- such as hitting or slamming your fingernail on or into something -- and there's usually little cause for worry. The good news is they'll simply grow out with time.

Because a normal fingernail takes about eight months to grow out completely, you may not notice the mark of an injury for several months after the fact. If you see white spots about halfway up the nail, you can assume that the insult took place approximately four months earlier. But if you can' t remember slamming that finger keep in mind there are other causes for white spots.

If you use nail enamels, nail hardeners, or artificial nails, it's also possible that you're having an allergic reaction. Such products can cause nail fragility and very fine splitting or layering of the nail plate, which may result in whitish spots.

The white spots may also be something that you picked up at the gym or during your monthly manicure, namely a fungal, yeast, or bacterial infection that attacks the substance of the nail directly, leaving a whitish streak or spot behind. If you've forgotten to wear your flip-flops at the gym or if you're unsure about the hygiene at your nail salon, ask your doctor to take scrapings of nail tissue for fungal and bacterial cultures. If there's a pesky organism causing the spots, both topical and oral therapies can clear up this problem in a few weeks.

Two skin conditions that affect millions of Americans, psoriasis and eczema, could also be the cause. Both can occasionally leave whitish spots on the nails, either by disrupting normal nail production at the root or causing separation at the tip. Because both disorders typically involve the skin as well as the nails, they're almost always diagnosed as a result of the accompanying skin problems, so if you've got the spots alone, it's unlikely you've got psoriasis or eczema.

Finally, there are a number of total-body ("systemic") conditions that can leave white spots on your otherwise unblemished talons. Certain nutritional deficiencies, particularly a lack of zinc or protein in your diet, can cause a nearly total whiteout of your nail except for the tips or even a pattern of white bands across the width of the nail. Cirrhosis, a form of chronic liver disease usually brought about by alcoholism, can also result in nails that are almost completely white. Keep in mind, though, that white spots in that case are rarely the primary flag for diagnosis but usually occur well after this disease has made its presence known in other ways.

Given the number of conditions that can cause white spots, if you have a sudden crop of them on your nails (and you haven't caught your digits in the car door during the last six months), make an appointment to see your dermatologist.

Answer 2

If you use nail enamels, nail hardeners, or artificial nails, it's possible that you're having an allergic reaction. Such products can cause nail fragility and very fine splitting or layering of the nail plate, which may result in whitish spots.

or it can be due to certain nutritional deficiencies, particularly lack of zinc or protein in your diet, can cause a nearly total whiteout of your nail except for the tips or even a pattern of white bands across the width of the nail.

Answer 3

FYI, the white spot that sometimes appear on your finger nails is called Leukonychia.

:: Leukonychia ::

Leukonychia is a medical term for white discoloration appearing on nails. It is derived from the Greek words Leuko white and Onyx nail. The most common cause is injury to the base of the nail (the matrix) where the nail is formed.

:: Types of Leukonychia ::

1- Leukonychia Totalis

This condition is a whitening of the entire nail. This may be a genetic condition, or a side effect of sulphonamides, a family of antibiotics.

2- Leukonychia Partialis

This condition is whitening of parts of the nail. There are several types of this condition.

3- Leukonychia Striata or Transverse Leukonychia

This is a Whitening or discoloration of the nail in bands or "stria". It may be caused by cirrhosis, chemotherapy, or physical injury to the nail matrix. (i.e. excessive nail "tapping" or slamming in a car door).

This condition looks similar to Mee's lines a condition caused by Arsenic, Lead, or other heavy metal poisoning.

4- 'True' Leukonychia

This is the most common form of Leukonychia, small white spots on the nails. Picking and biting of the nails are a prominate cause in young children and nail biters. In most cases, when white spots appear on a single or a couple of fingers or toes, the most common cause is injury to the base (matrix) of the nail. When this is the case, white spots disappear after around eight months, which is time necessary for nails to regrow completely.

White spots showing up on all or nearly all nails for longer periods of time (months and years) can be due to one of several reasons. One common explanation is zinc deficiency.

:: Diagnosis and treatment ::

A doctor will take a thorough Medical History, and may test liver and kidney function. If a zinc deficiency is identified, a diet rich in zinc or zinc supplements may be administered.

For more info, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukonychia

Answer 4

Usually notes a zinc deficiency and shows that you do not eat a proper diet. Follow the food pyramid exactly ot take a daily multi-vitamin. My nails grow up to 1/4 inch a week and my diet is awful but I do take my vitamins every day.

Answer 5

I don't have any :-( i guess noone loves me.

either your not getting enough zink or Iron or someone has been poisoning you with arsenic over a long period of time.

I'm sure it's just the zink or Iron thing though.

Answer 6

I agree with luvtoride... It can be considered a nail bruise, due to hitting it, and will just grow out.

Answer 7

It's a calcium deposit, nothing to worry about.

Answer 8

some say its lack of calcium but i have heard that it is small knocks on the nail and it is actually damaged underneath.

Answer 9

an old wive's tale says that they show up every time you lie.

Answer 10

Sum say the white spot shows how many people loves you.