Leukonychia

With leukonychia, white spots, dots or lines appear in the nail plate. Contrary to popular belief, they usually have nothing to do with calcium or vitamin deficiency.

Causes

• small knocks or pressure on the nail matrix – the most common cause
• overly intensive nail care, pushing back the cuticle
• less often: fungal infections (white superficial onychomycosis) or general diseases

What to do?

Small spots grow out with the nail and need no treatment. If the white areas grow larger, can be scraped off or the whole nail turns whitish, nail fungus should be ruled out – see mycological examination.