Many noticed on the nail plate strange white spots, large and small, formed singly and in groups.

This is called leicononihia.

The causes of white spots on the nails are diverse - from injury to the nail plate to serious systemic diseases. Let's deal with them in detail.

And at once we pay attention that depending on the origin leukonichia is divided into true and false. Also leuconichia is classified according to the prevalence of the process (partial and total) and the form of white spots (transverse striped and spotted).

It is important to understand that the growth and replacement of the nail plate takes a long time. Nails on hands completely grow during 6-9, and on legs - 12-18 months.

Therefore, the presence of white spots can indicate problems that have begun in your body many months ago.

Injury of the nail.

Injury of the nail plate or nail matrix promotes the formation of white spots: the habit to gnaw nails, accidental injuries in the workplace or with manicure, wearing too tight shoes.

As a result of these injuries, the white spot will grow with the nail. Such leukonichia often occurs in children and is considered the most common.

Toxins and drugs.

Some toxic substances and medications can cause the appearance of white spots on the nails. This is a relatively rare cause, usually associated with transverse striped leikonichia.

Classical toxins and drugs that cause leukonichia:.

- Heavy metals, including lead and arsenic.

- Chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment.

- Sulphanilamides, prescribed for bacterial infections Systemic diseases.

The causes of white spots on the nails are rarely found in serious diseases affecting other tissues and organs.

But they are very diverse:.

- Cirrhosis of the liver.

- Iron-deficiency anemia.

- Chronic kidney disease.

- Heart failure.

- Diabetes.

- Disturbance in the assimilation of proteins.

- Protein deficiency in the diet.

- Zinc deficiency.

- Hyperthyroidism.

- Psoriasis.

- Eczema Fungal infection of the nail or surrounding skin is also a potential cause of the appearance of white spots.

Hereditary diseases.

In extremely rare cases, the cause of leukonichia can be hereditary diseases.

More precisely, rare complex syndromes:.

- Bart-Pamphrey Syndrome (keratitis-ichthyosis-hearing loss).

- Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (nevoid basal cell carcinoma).

- Bauer Syndrome, including problems with nails and skin cysts.

- Darya's disease (follicular dyskeratosis) Diagnosis and treatment of white spots on the nails.

Treatment completely depends on the causes of leukonichia.

If the doctor is not sure, a number of diagnostic tests are assigned:.

- Mycological examination of the fungus of the nail plate.

- Nail biopsy, which requires taking a tissue fragment.

- Analyzes of blood for systemic diseases Directly white spots do not treat - the attention of the doctor is focused on the root cause of this cosmetic defect. Having cured the disease or eliminated toxin, you can count on the rapid regrowth of a healthy nail.

In most cases, leukonichia is a temporary cosmetic defect that gradually passes and does not cause anxiety medbe. en.