White spots on the nails: What they say about your health
Although it is rarely a cause for alarm, specialists warn that in exceptional cases, leukonychia is related to the development of diseases
The appearance of white spots on the nails usually generates contrasting reactions. Most people don't even notice them. There are those who relate them to a calcium deficiency, but it is already known that this is a myth.
More than good or bad, those spots that caught your attention overnight are a fairly common finding, although the medical name for them sounds like a rare disease: leukonychia.
Leukonychia, experts say, is rarely cause for alarm, except in rare cases where it could be a sign of more serious conditions such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or heart disease.
Why do white spots appear on your nails?
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that the most common reason for white spots are small injuries to the matrix at the base of the nail bed. Most of these injuries are due to accidental bumps, but they can also occur from nail biting or after aggressive manicures.
Other factors that can be attributed to leukonychia are:
In this case, in addition to stopping the use of the product that may be causing the reaction, specialists recommend keeping the nails and cuticles well hydrated with specific oils or creams that can help restore the skin barrier.
If the white spots are caused by a fungal infection, your doctor may prescribe medicated nail polishes (such as ciclopirox or amorolfine) that are applied directly to the infected nail. For more severe infections, oral medications such as terbinafine or itraconazole may be prescribed, which are very effective, but can cause side effects and require liver monitoring.
In this case, it is crucial to speak with a doctor to evaluate whether any medication you are taking could be the cause of the leukonychia and look for alternatives or adjust the dose.
When nails speak of diseases
Nails are skin appendages that reflect the state of general health: their color and shape can be altered as a result of internal processes. That’s why paying attention to any injury or abnormality is never an undue concern.
Harvard Health Publishing emphasizes the importance of observing nail patterns: “While most white spots on the nails are benign and trauma-related, spots that affect all nails or have specific patterns like Terry’s nails, where the majority of the nail is white except for a pink band, can be an indicator of underlying systemic health conditions and should be evaluated by a physician.”
Along the same lines, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises seeking medical attention if the white spots persist, worsen, spread to other nails, or are associated with other symptoms such as changes in the shape, thickness, or color of the nail, or if pain is present.
The following types of leukonychia are directly related to chronic diseases:
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) indicates that about 40% of people with advanced chronic kidney disease have nail changes, with Lindsay nails being one of the most common.
A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that Terry nails are seen in approximately 80% of patients with liver cirrhosis.
Other health conditions can also manifest through the nails, although the observed changes do not always relate to specific patterns of leukonychia or present with less severe lesions.
A report from the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health notes that “severe zinc deficiency can affect nail growth and appearance, including the appearance of white spots or Beau’s lines.