What Those White Spots On Your Fingernails Really Mean

Our fingernails are on the frontlines of our everyday physical activities. As a result, it's not uncommon for our nails to get the brunt of an occasional injury. When this happens, you may have noticed the formation of small white dots underneath the fingernail. This is due to the fact that these markings are often a consequence of harm inflicted beneath the nail bed (via Women's Health).

Dots are not the only form these markings can take. Nail trauma can also emerge as white vertical or horizontal lines, patches, or a complete white covering of the nail (via Medical News Today). The scientific name for these markings is leukonychia which, when broken down, roughly translates to "white nail."

These spots can occur for any number of reasons from something as simple as nail biting to more rare instances indicating a possible health condition. In the more common scenarios, excessive pressure has likely been put on the nail either through a manicure, tight clothing such as socks or shoes, or a physical blow to the nail itself. Fungal infections, especially on the toenails, are also known for causing yellowing or whitening of the nail.

Sometimes, a fully or partially white nail is a side effect of certain illnesses (via Medical News Today). Such conditions can include eczema, diabetes, anemia, psoriasis, or kidney disease. In more severe cases, these white spots can result from a reaction to certain antibiotic medications. In rare instances, they can indicate possible lead poisoning.

According to Andrew Weil, M.D., most white spots on our fingernails prove to be temporary. While the markings may take up to six weeks to emerge from the time of the nail trauma, it often takes much longer to be rid of them. For healing to occur, the nail will need to fully grow out before the area with the spots can be trimmed and removed. This growing process can sometimes take as long as eight months or more to run its course. 

Thankfully, experts at Women's Health suggest some ways to confidently camouflage the spots while waiting. If the injury was not embedded too deep into the nail, buffing the nail may prove effective at doing away with some of these spots. Otherwise, experts suggest choosing a colorful nail polish coupled with a protective top layer to hide the markings. Should the root cause of the spots be due to illness or infection, please consult with a medical professional for specific diagnoses and treatment instructions.