{"id":37519,"date":"2018-09-05T20:01:36","date_gmt":"2018-09-05T17:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/?p=37519"},"modified":"2018-09-05T20:01:36","modified_gmt":"2018-09-05T17:01:36","slug":"white-spots-on-nails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/white-spots-on-nails\/","title":{"rendered":"What Causes White Spots on Nails? 5 Possible Explanations"},"content":{"rendered":"

A manicure requires painstaking effort, but white spots on your nails may spoil it. What are they and what causes these unsightly white marks to appear? Most importantly, how do you remove them? We have the answers.<\/p>\n

What Are These White Spots on Nails and What Types Are There?<\/h2>\n

If you notice white or ‘milk’ spots<\/a> on your nails, you may have a condition known as Leukonychia. It stems from the Greek words ‘leuko'(white) and ‘nychia'(nails). There are a few variants of this condition.<\/p>\n

Experts subdivide them into True and Pseudo-Leukonychia.<\/h3>\n

1. True Leukonychia<\/h4>\n

True Leukonychia<\/a> occurs when the nails become white because of damage to the matrix. There are a few forms of this condition.<\/p>\n

a. Leukonychia Totalis: <\/strong>First of all is the whitening of the entire nail, a condition experts term Leukonychia Totalis<\/a>. It often happens to all of them, likely because of physical trauma. It is a sign of low albumin. Patients may develop this condition after taking sulphonamide, a type of antibiotic. It may also occur because of low keratin production.<\/p>\n

b. Leukonychia Partalis: <\/strong>The Latin term may have led you to guess that a patient who suffers from this condition experiences a partial whitening of his or her nails. There are three types of Leukonychia Partalis, namely transverse, punctate, and longitudinal whitening. Sever versions of it may lead to Leukonychia Totalis.<\/p>\n

c. Leukonychia Striata: <\/strong>Also known as Transverse Leukonychia and Mee’s Lines, this condition refers to white bands. These lines run parallel to the base of the nails.<\/p>\n

d. Leukonychia Puncata: <\/strong>This form of Leukonychia is the most common. It happens when small white spots appear. They disappear after about six to eight months, which is enough time for them to regrow completely.<\/p>\n

e. Longitudinal Leukonychia: <\/strong>This form of the condition is rare. It happens when white, longitudinal lines become visible under the nail plate. Patients with Darier’s disease, a disorder characterized by crusty, dark patches under the skin. They sometimes contain pus.<\/p>\n

2. Pseudo Leukonychia<\/h4>\n

White discoloration may happen because of changes to the nail bed. There are three forms of this condition, namely Terry’s Nails, Muehrcke’s Nails, and Half-and-Half Nails.<\/p>\n

a. Terry’s Nails: <\/strong>A person has Terry’s Nails when his or her nails appear white and glassy. They occur because of an increase in connective tissue within the bed of each one. They are a sign of liver cirrhosis.<\/p>\n

b. Half and Half Nails: <\/strong>A person has Half-and-half nails when the top part of each one is white and the bottom, brownish. Haemodialysis patients may develop this condition.<\/p>\n

c. Muehrcke’s Nails: <\/strong>These nails occur in patients who have hyperammonemia. They may have multiple transverse white bands. Liver problems<\/a> and malnutrition are usually the cause.<\/p>\n

Why Do White Spots Appear on Nails? 5 Possible Explanations<\/h3>\n

Leukonychia may happen for several reasons. Your fingernails<\/a> can tell you a lot about your health. These are a few common ones.<\/p>\n

1. Allergies<\/h4>\n

First of all, white spots may arise because of allergic reactions to nail polish. Using a gel or acrylic nails may also damage them. According to this study, nail polish is responsible for cosmetically induced Leukonychia. Some of its effects include mycobacterial infections and keratin degranulation.<\/p>\n

2. Trauma<\/h4>\n

Injury to the nail Matrix, where the nail grows from, can damage it and cause white spots, a form of acquired Leukonychia<\/a>. Some types of injury include:<\/p>\n