White spots on the nails - not at all "white and fluffy"

Hands are a kind of visiting card. You can learn a lot about the habits and health of its owner via the characteristics of your hands and nails. One of the signs, that symbolizes an imbalance

in your body, are white spots on the nails, called "leukonychia".

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It can be triggered by various factors, both physical and chemical, and depending on the cause, there are many ways to deal with it. Fortunately, the appearance of these white spots most often is not even a reason for a medical consultation, and from my experience, I know that getting rid of them is quite possible with the help of some simple home treatments.

What is leukonychia?

These are small white marks that sometimes appear on the nails and are usually semi-circular in shape. The word leukonychia comes from the Greek "leuko" meaning white and "onyx" meaning fingernail. It's not painful, don't pose a serious health problem, but may be a sign of a condition that needs to be improved as soon as possible to prevent the development of more serious diseases.

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If white spots appear on the toenails, they are often referred to as "runner's nails" because it is common in people, who play sports.

Depending on the cause, white spots may disappear with the growth of the nail, and require no further action on your part. But it can also be a sign of certain body deficiencies, in which case you must identify them and make up for the missing vitamins and minerals.

Causes of white spots on nails

Mechanical injury. White marks can result from mechanical damage to the nail matrix (for example, during a run or too much pressure on the nail during a manicure). The white mark usually appears several weeks after the injury, so many people do not attribute the incident to leukonychia. White marks due to mechanical damage will heal on their own and all you need to do is just avoid further injury.

Allergic reactions. Some manicure products, such as nail polish, hardeners, nail polish removers, etc., may contain harsh chemicals that damage nails instead of protecting.

Sometimes a product that you use for a long time can unexpectedly cause an allergic reaction, so be vigilant and watch your nails to know if all the products benefit your nails or just the opposite.

I advise my clients to periodically change the brand of home care products for hands and nails, but still, do not experiment with unknown brands in order to avoid unwanted allergic reactions.

Zinc deficiency . Zinc is one of the minerals that plays an important role in keeping nails strong and healthy. When the level of this mineral falls below the required level, the body responds with white spots on the nails. You can easily replenish your zinc levels by including seafood, spinach, nuts, whole grains, beans, and yogurts in your diet. While white spots caused by zinc deficiency are not a big problem, long-term zinc deficiency in the body can cause more serious problems such as: weakened immune system, hair loss, stress susceptibility, acne.

White marks on nails can also be a sign of calcium deficiency . Since this is the most common problem, there are various nail products that purportedly contain calcium and can help you fill your nail with much-needed minerals. But in fact, I was able to see that unfortunately, these products are not as effective as changes in my diet or calcium supplements. Like mineral deficiency, white spots on nails are just the tip of the iceberg. A lack of calcium can lead to muscle cramps, depression, hallucinations, numbness in the limbs, and weakening of the bone structure.

Protein deficiency. If the body does not have enough of it, spots can also appear on the nails in the form of white lines.

This is a common problem for many vegetarians, who don't get enough protein.

Home remedies for leukonychia

Hydration. In order to ensure fast regeneration of nails, you must ensure that it is properly hydrated. Rub in vitamin E oil or nourishing hand cream. You need to do this every night, before going to bed, and also after washing your hands. In addition, I want to remind you that moisturizers are only a “lock” for the water that is already inside your skin, and you should consume at least 1.5 liters every day.

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Diet. Some products are especially beneficial for nails, its healthy growth and regeneration. In addition to foods rich in zinc, calcium, and protein, you should make sure you eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin C (for example: oranges, lemons, grapefruit, apples, carrots, and strawberries) and sulfur (for example: broccoli, cabbage, turnips, chicken , fish, meat, nuts and legumes).

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Tea tree oil. You can use it in the treatment of nails, regardless of the cause of the problem. If this happened due to mechanical damage, tea tree oil nourishes and moisturizes the nails. If the cause is a fungus, the oil has antiseptic and antifungal properties. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a few drops of olive or jojoba oil and rub it all over your nails. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water. Repeat three to four times a week until you see that the white spots on the nails have disappeared.

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Another natural product that can help remove white spots on nails while also nourishing and brightening is lemon juice. It has antiseptic properties and contains high levels of vitamin C.

Yogurt. Soaking your nails in natural yogurt is a very effective method of removing white spots as it gives them a protein boost. You should only use natural, unsweetened yogurt for this treatment. Dip your nails in yogurt and keep them on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse your fingers with warm water and dry well to avoid fungal growth. For best results, apply a nourishing hand cream and repeat this daily for a month.

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If none of the above treatments work, the underlying white patch problem could be something that affects other aspects of your health too. In this case, I advise you to consult a doctor.