What Are White Spots On Nails And How To Get Rid Of Them?

Healthy nails, both on fingers and toes, are a soft pink color with a single white crescent called lunula at the bottom of each nail. So, what are the white spots on nails that seem to appear out of nowhere? Medically, nail abnormalities involving these white spots are called leukonychia. You may have heard about mineral deficiency being associated with this condition, but there is more to it than that. Infections, underlying medical conditions, and even injury can cause varying kinds of white spots. There are several ways in which you can get rid of them. Let’s delve deeper to understand this condition so that you know what to do about it and how to get rid of white spots on nails with a few effective home remedies.

What Are White Spots On Nails And How Do They Look?

White spots on nails or leukonychia partialis is a kind of partial white discoloration of nails. The word leukonychia is derived from two Greek terms, leuko (meaning white) and onyx (meaning nail). Depending on how the white spots appear on your nails, you may have either of these three types of partial leukonychia (1):

• Leukonychia Striata

If the white spot on your nail appears as a horizontal band running parallel to the lunula (half-moon-shaped base of the nail), you may have leukonychia striata. These are also called Mees lines and generally outgrow with the nail over time.

• Longitudinal Leukonychia

Longitudinal leukonychia appears as multiple pale white bands at least 1mm thick that run parallel to the base of the nail.

• Leukonychia Punctata

Leukonychia punctata is the most common type of leukonychia and looks like small white dots on the nails. These generally disappear over time. However, as the nail grows, the number and pattern of the spots may change.

The most common cause of these white spots is nail trauma or injury to the matrix (base). Let’s see some other potential reasons why white spots form on nails.

What Are The Major Causes Of White Spots On Nails?

• Fungal Infection

White superficial onychomycosis is a common nail fungus that causes small white spots to appear on your nails. While this is more common for toenails, your fingernails may also get affected by this nail infection (2).

According to a study on Onychomycosis involving 3,226 patients with the disease, men are more likely to get nail fungus than women (40% vs. 23%), toenails are more often infected (69%) than fingernails (31%) in both genders, and the most common fungus found in fingernails is Candida (84%) and in toenails is dermatophytes (48%).

• Damage Or Allergic Reactions Associated With Nail Products

Acrylic or gel-based nail products may damage your nails and lead to these white spots. Additionally, an allergic reaction to nail products like polish, gloss, nail paint remover, or hardener may also cause nail discoloration and white patches or spots (3).

• Mineral Deficiency

A calcium or zinc deficiency is often claimed to be a cause of white spots on nails. But some studies suggest that zinc or calcium deficiency does not lead to white spots on nails (4). Regardless, overall nail health does depend on getting adequate minerals like magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, sodium, and copper (5). A deficiency in these minerals may adversely affect nail plate composition and make it prone to damage. Therefore, even if there is no conclusive evidence on how mineral deficiencies may lead to white spots, addressing a vitamin deficiency in nails is often considered an essential part of treatment (6).

A blogger going by the name Nail Luxxe talks about how she noticed white spots on her nails while doing a manicure and was told she had calcium deficiency. Years later, her doctor explained that they were caused by a minor trauma to the nail. She adds, “I took this to mean that it was similar to a scar. But unlike a scar that heals, the white mark doesn’t disappear. You have to wait for it to grow out (i).”

• Other Causes

More uncommonly, white spots on nails may be due to underlying conditions like heart disease, psoriasisⁱ  An autoimmune condition that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches on the skin due to stress or cold. or eczemaⁱ  A general term used for inflammation of the skin, which leads to dry, itchy patches on the skin. , renal failure, and pneumonia. Arsenic poisoning may also be responsible for the white discoloration of nails. Systemic diseases (diseases that affect multiple systems in the body) may also cause white coloration in nails in rare cases (7).

You can manage benignⁱ  A tumor or an abnormal growth of cells that is not cancerous and does not spread to other parts of the body. white spots on nails with a few simple home remedies. Learn more about these remedies in the next section.

Home Remedies For White Spots On Nails

• Eat Foods Rich In Minerals

Incorporate foods rich in these minerals into your diet so that your nail plate can be strong and recover from damage from trauma more effectively (8). Also, including leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fish in your diet may help maintain healthy nails because they provide essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that help maintain healthy, strong nails.

• Use Skin-toned Or Colored Nail Polish

Use nail polish to cover up the white spots for a temporary solution. You can apply a layer of good quality nail polish that matches your skin tone for a natural look. You may also experiment with fun colors.

• Avoid Exposure To Allergens

If the white spots on your nails have appeared after a certain nail product usage, you may want to discontinue using it. It may also be helpful to check the ingredients to see if you may be allergic to any component in that product and avoid it going forward.

In most cases, white spots on the nail go away on their own within 6 months, as that is how long it takes for the entire nail plate on your fingers to be replaced (9). However, there may be situations where you may need to seek medical attention.

When Should You Consult A Doctor?

Consult your doctor if you are worried about the white spots on your nail or if you suspect that you have a fungal infection causing the discoloration. Some signs include:

• Well-defined white spots on nails
• White spots that appear to be spreading
• Pitted and flaky spots
• Foul smell from the nails

The doctor will decide on the right course of treatment after diagnosing the reason behind the discoloration.

How To Diagnose This Condition?

There are several ways your doctor can go ahead with the diagnostic procedures. Depending on what they suspect, they may take one or more of the following steps:

• The doctor may prescribe mycologyⁱ  A branch of biology that deals with the study of fungi, including their genetics and biochemical properties. , in which nail clippings are tested for fungal growth.
• For a nail biopsy, the doctor may take a small piece of nail tissue.
• A blood test may be prescribed to identify if there is any underlying systemic disease.

After the results come in, your healthcare provider will determine the treatment you need.

Medical Treatment Options

Depending on the results of diagnostic tests, your doctor will decide on a treatment course. The most common treatment is the prescription of oral and topical antifungal medication. It may take up to 3 months for a fungal infection to go away completely. If the white spots indicate an underlying disease, the doctor may begin treatment for the root issue.

• Over-The-Counter Treatments

There are several over-the-counter treatments available for addressing white spots on nails. They include:

Topical Treatments: White spot fungal infections can be treated with antifungal creams.
Nail Strengtheners: Calcium-or keratin-based strengthening polishes and nail hardeners strengthen nails.
Moisturizers: Vitamin E or jojoba oil-based nail and cuticle lotions guard against dryness and brittleness.
Nail Repair Treatments: Specialized treatments containing proteins or amino acids strengthen and repair nails.

However, for white spots caused due to injury or trauma, there is no treatment as such, and you need to wait for the spots to outgrow with the nails. You can take certain precautions to lower your chances of getting white spots, as described in the next section.

How To Prevent The Formation Of White Spots On Nails?

While you cannot absolutely control whether you get white spots or not, there are a few nail care tips and tricks you can take to safeguard your nails.

Avoiding contact with irritants and chemicals (Eg: acrylates, formaldehyde, and toluene sulfonamide-formaldehyde resin) as these may cause allergic contact dermatitisⁱ  A skin condition that leads to inflammation due to contact with any substance that irritates the skin, such as an allergen. , which can affect, along with the surrounding skin, the nail plates and make them prone to dryness, brittleness, and damage (3)

• Avoiding excessive use of nail polish
• Keeping nails short and trimmed
• Using a moisturizer after handwash to prevent dryness

Infographic: Causes And Natural Remedies For White Spots On Nails

White spots on your nails can occur due to various reasons. They can be due to an injury or an underlying medical issue. Knowing the reason behind this condition can help you manage it effectively. Check out the infographic below for the causes of white spots on your nails and natural ways to treat them.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What vitamin is good for white spots on nails?

Though white spots on nails are not caused by vitamin deficiency, including vitamin B and C supplements in your diet may help reduce them.

Can vitamin D deficiency cause white spots on nails?

No, vitamin D deficiency cannot cause white spots on the nails. The common causes of white spots on nails are discussed above.

Why does my child have white spots on the nails?

One of the most common causes of white spots on a child’s nail is an injury to the nail plate. However, consult your doctor to check if the child has any underlying skin condition.

Curious about those pesky white spots on your nails? Check out this video to explore the causes behind them and get tips on managing and preventing them.

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Dr. SabaBHMS, MD

   

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Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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