What Causes White Spots on your Fingernails?

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There are a lot of myths surrounding the mysterious white spot on the fingernails. There are beliefs that say that the white spots are a symbol for money. When it gets to the tip of the fingernails, it falls off the ground and becomes money. While there are theories that say that these white spots are signs of mineral deficiency in the body such as calcium or zinc. Whatever beliefs or theories that have been spread locally or worldwide, one thing is for sure, it is none of the above. So what does causes white spots on your fingernails?

Causes of the White Spots

White spots on the fingernails are called leukonychia. It is primarily caused by an injury on the nail bed. It is like bruises on the skin. When the nail bed or fingernail is injured by accidentally banging your fingernails into some hard surfaces, it bruises up like after a few days and these bruises appear as white marks or spots on the fingernails (not like bruises on the skin which are reddish brown in color).

Leukonychia is a sign of minor fingernail injury and not a major one. Major fingernail injury such as the one caused by a hammer or sandwiching your fingernails on a door reveals dark blue to black fingernails spots and possible death of nail tissues. The white spots in the fingernails are actually a sign of the injury that was imposed on the finger nails 8 weeks ago. The reason for this is that fingernails grow on an average of half an inch a month and it needs an inch on the fingernail to visibly see the white spot.

Other Causes

Zinc deficiency can actually cause white spots on the nails but it should be accompanied by other symptoms of this deficiency such as poor immune system and hair loss. Another minor cause of white spots on the nails is an allergic reaction to nail polish, hardener or polish remover.

How to Prevent White spots on your Fingernails?

There are many ways that can be done to prevent the occurrence of these white spots on the fingernails. One best way to have a spot free fingernails is to prevent incurring injury to it. This can be done by being careful all the time and be conscious of what you do with your hands. Another way to deal with these white spots is to cover it with nail polish. Just be sure that the one who is applying the nail polish is a trained one so to prevent injuring your fingernails. Also, be sure that you do not have any allergies to nail polish. There are beliefs that nail polish can cause fungal infection. If this happens, yellowish marks or spots should be seen in the fingernails and not white spots. Should there be any fungal infection on your fingernails, do not hesitate to visit your dermatologist.