Other possible causes are allergies to nail products and fungal infections.
In rare cases, white spots on your nail can be a sign of a systemic illness or deficiency.
It also addresses treatment options and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Leukonychia totalis is often a sign of a serious medical issue like liver failure.
Leukonychia partialis can be further categorized based on its appearance:
There are three major types of leukonychia.
They appear in the hard part of your nail, called the nail plate.
Pseudoleukonychia
Pseudoleukonychiais because of a fungus growing on the outside of the nail.
This key in causes the upper layers of the nail plate to become scaly.
What Causes White Spots on Nails?
There are many different causes of leukonychia.
Some of them are minor issues of normal wear and tear, while others are more serious.
When injured, these layers can crack or have air trapped between them, leading to white spots.
One common infection isonychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenails.
White spots tied to fungal infections can be treated withantifungal medications.
This is no longer believed to be true.
What does iron deficiency look like in the nails?
Iron deficiency can cause nail changes, but not usually spots.
Medication
Sometimes, people undergoingchemotherapywill develop white spots on their nails.
Genetics
Many different inherited conditions can cause leukonychia.
They can consider possible diagnoses depending on the bang out and classification of the white spots on your nails.
Dermoscopy can help your healthcare provider see abnormalities that may not be visible to the eye.
These injuries can cause air to get trapped within the nail, giving it a white appearance.
Fungal infections within the nail can also cause white spots.
If you have many white spots on your nails, its best to see a healthcare provider for evaluation.
They can help you identify what might have caused the spots and treat the underlying health condition.
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