Why do white spots appear on fingernails - reasons for how to get rid of them

General information

White spots on the nail plates appear in many people at a certain period of life. Most often they are perceived as a kind of cosmetic defect. But in fact, white spots on the nails indicate that not everything is in order in the human body. This is leukonychia - a phenomenon when, due to various reasons, white lines and spots appear on the nail plate as it grows. Leukonychia can be associated with a number of diseases, as well as with a lack of substances important for the body, and even with certain habits. But in any case, it is worth determining the cause of such a symptom and, if possible, eliminating it.

Causes of the symptom

White spots on the nails can appear in people of any age and gender and have different appearances. In some cases they look like blurry dots, in others - like longitudinal stripes, in place of which furrows subsequently form. In any case, these spots are nothing more than air bubbles accumulated between the layers of the nail. Normally, fatty deposits and fluid should collect between the collagen fibers. If the natural biological process is disrupted, air fills the empty space instead. From the outside, this area is perceived as a cloudy, whitish spot. The medical definition of the phenomenon is leukonychia.

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There are many reasons for this pathology. It can be caused by exogenous (that is, external) and endogenous (internal) factors. The most common ones include the following.

Mechanical damage. You can get injured during a manicure if you use the tools incorrectly. Damage to the nail bed with cutting equipment leads to impaired growth of the nail plate. Also, whitish marks may remain after an impact.
Avitaminosis. Adherence to strict diets, anorexia, and poor diet lead to a lack of essential substances in the body.
Fungal infections. If untreated, mycoses are very dangerous if untreated, as they contribute to the rapid destruction of collagen compounds. White stripes on the nails are one of the first signs of fungal growth. Then fragility and separation of the free edge are added to this symptom.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, the symptom indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the digestive organs. If you suspect gastrointestinal pathology, you should contact a gastroenterologist. Spots and grooves on the nail plates often accompany enteritis, intestinal dysbiosis, and colitis.
Liver disorders. Such an external manifestation sometimes accompanies cirrhosis and hepatitis, which have very dangerous consequences and can be fatal. It is necessary to make an appointment with a hepatologist as soon as possible, without waiting for complications of the disease.
Metabolic disorders, kidney or heart failure. Against the background of these diseases, the body constantly suffers from a lack of vital microelements. In this case, spots on the horny plates, as a rule, are not the only manifestation of the disease. These are often accompanied by increased brittleness of nails and hair loss.

Pathogenesis

Pathological changes on the nail plates (on one or several at once) occur due to disturbances in the process of keratinization of the nail. Due to the influence of various factors, the functions of the nail matrix, which determines the formation of the plate and its growth, may fail. Such disorders lead to incomplete maturation of the cells of the nail plate, deterioration or absence of their keratinization. As a result, a layer of air appears in the thickness of the plate, which is then filled with fat and water. Such layers look like white spots on the nail.

Leukonychia, photo

What do white spots on nails mean?

White spots on nails are medically called leukonychia.
This is a pathological change in the nail plate, characterized by the appearance of dotted, stripe-like or large areas of white color. The appearance of the nail plate of the hands is a sensitive indicator of a person’s general health. The condition of the nails reflects the changes that have occurred in the body over the past six months. This is exactly how long it takes to completely update the plates.

Dermatologists say the main reason for changes in the appearance of nails is a violation of the keratization process. Despite the fact that the horny tissue of nails is a very durable formation, various factors can disrupt its structure. Sometimes air accumulates in the layers of the horny tissue of the nails.

It is these air inclusions that look like white spots on the plates.

Among people, there are various signs associated with white spots on nails, and defects on specific fingers can mean something: the ring, middle, index, little finger. But official medicine identifies its reasons for the appearance of white spots.

Diagnosis in such cases includes a study of spectral analysis of nails for the presence of microelements, scraping from the nail plates to identify pathogenic fungi.

To establish the true cause of their formation, to find out what exactly disrupted the keratization process, you should visit a dermatologist and conduct a functional diagnosis of the body.

Classification

There are several varieties of this pathology:

Limited leukonychia - in this case, partial damage to the plate is noted.
Stripe leukonychia - with this form, whitish stripes, vertical or horizontal, appear on the nail plates. Often a similar symptom appears if poisoning with thallium or arsenic has occurred.
Point leukonychia - this variety is characterized by the appearance of white dots. They can be small or large, single or multiple. This form is the most common today. It usually develops after various mechanical damages.
Total leukonychia - the entire plate is completely affected. The pathological process begins in the nail hole. Most often, such a lesion occurs in childhood or adolescence. It is associated with past infections, fungal diseases, liver and kidney diseases.

According to the size of the spots, the following forms of damage are determined:

Subtotal (limited) - appear if keratinization of the plate appears partially and does not occupy the entire surface. Typically, several nails are affected.
Total – lesions are located over the entire surface and can appear on all nails at once.

Causes

There are many factors that should be listed when answering the question of why white spots appear on nails. The cause of the appearance of white spots may be due to either injury to the plate or exposure to chemicals. In addition, there may be other reasons for white spots on the fingernails. So, sometimes leukonychia is congenital.

If we consider the reasons why white spots appear on fingernails, we should distinguish between external and internal causes.

External reasons may be the following:

Injuries, bruises, compression of the plate. In this case, the marks appear on one or more nails, such as the thumbnail.
Violation of manicure technique, leading to injuries.
Carrying out a manicure using products hazardous to health. Sometimes specialists use very aggressive means that speed up the process, but at the same time have a negative effect on the body. Stains may appear after shellac, gel, etc.
Using chemicals to remove nail polish. You need to buy only products from trusted companies.
Contact with chemicals that are harsh on hands. All housework should be done wearing protective gloves.
Work involving constant contact with chemicals (construction mixtures, etc.).
Wearing shoes that are too tight may be the cause of white spots on your toenails.

Internal reasons:

Very strict diets, unhealthy and monotonous nutrition.
Bulimia , anorexia .
Diseases of the digestive system, ulcers, ulcerative colitis , hepatitis, etc.
Pyelonephritis.
Deficiency of substances important for the body - minerals, vitamins, in particular iron, vitamins A and B6 .
Long-term depression.
Chronic stress, constant uneven overexertion.
Diseases of the heart and circulatory system.
Fungal infections - because of them, spots can appear on the nails of the toes and fingers.
Metabolic disease.
Psoriasis.
Intestinal dysbiosis.
Some infectious diseases.

If a person goes to the doctor to find out why white spots appear under the nails, after examination it may turn out that this phenomenon is associated with several reasons at once.

It is important to take into account that white spots on the nails of the toes and fingers can also appear due to the presence of certain bad habits:

The habit of cutting your nails too short.
Biting cuticles or nails.
The need to frequently type on the keyboard.
Frequent manicure with aggressive agents and lack of “rest” for nails.
The habit of drumming on the table with your nails.

It is interesting that in connection with the appearance of such marks, there are even folk signs, and people who take superstitions seriously are interested in what the white spots on the fingernails mean. It is believed that, for example, white spots on the thumb promise an upcoming big purchase, on the index finger they mean sad events, and on the middle finger they mean good luck. On the ring finger, such marks supposedly appear as a sign of discord, and on the little finger, as a sign of joy. However, to seriously believe that the white spots on the nails mean exactly what the signs say is, at a minimum, illogical and irresponsible. After all, all that such symptoms indicate is health problems that need to be detected and eliminated.

Onychodystrophy (nail dystrophy) - symptoms and treatment

At the moment, there is no unified classification of onychodystrophies. Based on their origin, they can be divided into two groups:

congenital onychodystrophy;
acquired onychodystrophies.

Congenital onychodystrophies develop as a result of gene mutations and are inherited. The last group of diseases are in turn divided into:

isolated onychodystrophy ;
onychodystrophy, as part of other diseases.

Let's take a closer look at each group of diseases.

Isolated onychodystrophy

This subgroup of diseases includes: brittle nails, onychoschisis, Bo's furrows, onycholysis, onychogryphosis, leukonychia, the formation of longitudinal grooves and hyperpigmentation. Most often they develop as a result of ultraviolet irradiation, mechanical and chemical damage.

Brittle nails are the most common deformation of the nail plate. It is accompanied by breaking off the free edge of the nail with the destruction of all its layers. Occurs predominantly in women. The reasons for brittleness are frequent contact with hot water and abuse of manicure.

Onychoschisis is a transverse separation of the nail plate without signs of inflammation. With this disease, the nail grows correctly to the free edge, after which the nail plate splits into 2-3 layers. The most commonly affected nails are the index, middle and ring fingers. The reasons are repeated minor mechanical injuries, including improperly performed manicure, playing stringed musical instruments, etc.

Bo's groove (manicure onychodystrophy) is another common type of dystrophy. Characterized by the appearance of a transverse groove on the nail plate. It often forms on the nails of the thumb, index and middle fingers. The reason is a violation of the technique of removing gel polish using cutters.

Onycholysis is a common pathology in which the connection between the nail plate and the nail bed is broken. The separated part of the nail may take on a white-gray tint. The surface of the nail, as a rule, remains smooth, but if a fungal or bacterial infection is attached, the nail plate becomes uneven, rough and bumpy, thickened or brittle.

There are quite a few causes of onycholysis. These include:

injury or compression of the nail;
taking antibiotics such as tetracycline and fluoroquinolones;
use of low-quality varnishes;
avitaminosis;
chronic dermatoses, diseases of the nervous, endocrine, digestive and cardiovascular systems;
neurotic disorders (onychotillomania - the obsessive habit of destroying one's own nails using various devices, and onychophagia - the habit of biting nails and hangnails).

Onychogryphosis is a sharp thickening (hypertrophy) of the nail plate with the acquisition of a convex shape. As it grows, the affected nail begins to curl like a spiral or horn. The color of the nail plate becomes dirty yellow or brown.

The exact cause of onychogryphosis has not been established. The participation of external and internal factors is assumed. External triggers include various injuries to the nail apparatus, frostbite, wearing tight shoes, local infections and anhidrosis (impaired sweating). Internal triggers include diseases of the immune system (HIV), age-related endocrine disorders, chronic skin diseases, syphilis and varicose veins of the lower extremities.

Leukonychia is the most common form of nail pigmentation, in which white areas of various shapes and sizes are observed in the thickness of the nail plate.

There are three forms of this disease:

dotted (spotted) or stripe-like (changed areas disappear as the nail grows);
subtotal (partial damage to the plate);
total (persistent damage to the entire nail).

Causes of the disease: use of low-quality nail polish, illiterate manicure and pedicure, frequent contact with household chemicals, wearing tight shoes, lack of microelements (iron, calcium, zinc) and vitamins A, E, C, D.

Longitudinal grooves are superficial, weakly expressed single or multiple lines on the nails. It is observed both in healthy people and in cases of matrix dysfunction. The reasons are a lack of zinc (mainly in vegetarians), careless manicure and abuse, cuticle or matrix injuries, decreased immunity and frequent stress.

Nail hyperpigmentation occurs when pigments such as hemosiderin and melanin accumulate. As a result, the nails acquire a yellow or brown tint. Depending on the cause, there are two types of hyperpigmentation:

medicinal - after taking tetracycline and resorcinol;
chemical - after prolonged use of manicure varnishes.

Onychodystrophy, as part of other diseases

Onychorrhexis is a longitudinal separation of the nail. This pathology is observed in chronic dermatoses, constant contact with chemicals and solutions that dry out the nail plate.

Scleronychia is a special form of nail hypertrophy. It is characterized by the hardness of the nail plate, complete loss of elasticity and transparency. Leads to separation of the nail graft from the bed, similar to onycholysis. The nail becomes yellow-brown and the lunula disappears. The cause of the disease is endocrine disorders.

Trachyonychia is a rather unusual form of dystrophy. The nail plate is characterized by the absence of a lunula and the presence of small thin scales with a dull nail color. This pathology occurs in immunodeficiency.

Thimble-shaped nail wear - pinpoint depressions and pits on the surface of the nail plate, resembling a thimble. Most often, this nail dystrophy occurs with psoriasis, exfoliative dermatitis, alopecia areata and lichen planus.

Onychodystrophy of the “roof slats” type is nail dystrophy in the form of shallow longitudinal ridges or grooves located in parallel. Occurs in lichen planus and senile atherosclerotic microangiopathy - atherosclerotic lesions of small blood vessels in elderly people.

Nail patterns - erasing of the free edge of the nail due to constant scratching of itchy lesions. The edge of the nail plate itself becomes somewhat concave. Such dystrophy occurs in chronic itchy dermatoses - neurodermatitis and eczema.

Hapalonychia is a rare form of onychodystrophy in which softening of the nail plate occurs. Such a nail easily bends and breaks off, and cracks form on the free edge. The cause of this pathology is a violation of sulfur metabolism during the formation of keratin in the nail.

Congenital onychodystrophy

Onychomadesis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed from the side of the ridges. The process occurs quite quickly and acutely, sometimes accompanied by pain and inflammation. Once matrix function is restored, a healthy nail plate grows. With relapses, atrophy of the nail bed may develop, which leads to complete loss of the nail. This type of onychodystrophy can be inherited and first appears after a finger injury.

Koilonychia is a saucer- or cup-shaped depression on the surface of the nail. The nail plates of the hands on the index and middle fingers are most often affected, but sometimes all nails are involved in the pathological process. The exact cause of the disease is unknown; the role of a hereditary factor is assumed. Cases of koilonychia occurring against the background of anemia, thyrotoxicosis, Cushing's disease, typhoid fever and other diseases have been recorded.

Anonychia is the congenital absence of one or more nails. This pathology is rare and is a hereditary anomaly. It can simultaneously occur with a violation of the structure of the hair, the functioning of the sweat and sebaceous glands and other developmental defects.

Platonychia is a flattening of the nail plate, the absence of its natural convexity. This type of dystrophy is quite rare and is an anomaly.

Micronychia are short nail plates on the fingers, less often on the toes. Can be inherited. Sometimes it is a sign of other diseases (for example psoriasis).

Hippocrates' nails are a genetic disease of the nail apparatus, characterized by convex nail plates that resemble “drumsticks.” The nails look rough, but they are also quite fragile. The exact cause of this pathology is unknown [1][4][5][7].

Symptoms

If white spots appear on the nails of an adult or child, their severity and type depend on the cause that provoked the disruption of the keratinization process. Sometimes, by analyzing the characteristics of this symptom, the doctor can determine why there are white spots on the nails of an adult or a small patient.

Nail injury in adults and children. Dotted marks appear, less often - stripes. They are located in those places that have been injured. The defeat is limited.
Lack of nutrients due to strict diets and poor nutrition. Stripe-shaped paired leukonychia appear, located horizontally.
Hypovitaminosis. Single leukonychia appear. If the state of hypovitaminosis persists for a long time, marks may appear on several nails. In this case, there is general weakness, hyperkeratosis , dry skin, and a feeling of fatigue after habitual exercise.
Gastrointestinal diseases. Total leukonychia is noted, both on the arms and legs. Signs of the underlying disease are noted.
Heart failure. Multiple or single lesions, cyanosis of the plates.
Chronic stress, depression, nervous exhaustion. A large white spot in the center of the plate, which disappears after it grows back.
Fungal infection. The lesion occupies a limited area. The nail becomes yellow, it becomes exfoliated and softens, its tissue thickens, and an unpleasant odor appears. If the disease progresses, the lesion covers other fingers.

Diagnosis of pathologies causing leukonychia

The surest step when light stripes and dots appear on the nails is to visit a dermatologist or mycologist. The specialist will conduct a survey to collect anamnesis, after which he will prescribe a series of tests. A comprehensive diagnosis will allow you to identify the cause of the symptom and choose effective treatment methods.

Diagnostic procedures that are usually prescribed in this case:

scraping for nail fungus;
biochemical and clinical tests of blood and urine;
spectral study for microelements.

If there is a suspicion of a connection between leukonychia and the functioning of internal organs, an additional ultrasound, MRI or CT scan is performed. The entire body or specific areas are screened. This requires the supervision of specialized specialists (cardiologist, gastroenterologist, hepatologist, pulmonologist, etc.).

Tests and diagnostics

If white spots appear on your nails, you should definitely contact a dermatologist and undergo the tests he prescribes. First, the specialist examines and interviews the patient. In addition, the following examinations are required:

Analysis of scrapings to determine fungal infection.
Spectral analysis of the plate for the determination of microelements.
General and biochemical blood tests to determine the presence of pathological processes in the body.

Based on the data obtained, the doctor prescribes other studies or consultation with specialists.

It is important to carry out differential diagnosis with the following diseases:

Onychomycosis - develops when infected with a fungal infection.
May's stripes are a symptom indicating thallium or arsenic poisoning.
Brittleness and delamination are a consequence of the dryness of the plate.
Violation of shape - the nail may grow in and have a pathological shape.

State Budgetary Institution of Health Care of Sevastopol “Dermatovenerologic Dispensary”

Human fungal diseases, or mycoses, are infectious diseases of the skin, nails, hair, and mucous membranes caused by pathogenic fungi. They affect about 10% of the population, and according to some data – 2–3 times more. The incidence has more than doubled over the past 10 years. The growing prevalence of fungal infections is due to the fact that many people who become infected with nail fungus avoid treatment and do not go to the doctor.

Onychomycosis is infection of the nail plates of the feet and hands by pathogenic fungi. This is an infectious disease transmitted from person to person. Onychomycosis almost never affects children. The incidence increases with age and is highest in older adults (peak at age 79 years). Men suffer from onychomycosis more often than women, with a difference of 1.3 times. Much more often than among the rest of the population, onychomycosis of the feet can be found in representatives of a number of professions: miners, factory workers, military personnel, athletes. The incidence of onychomycosis in these groups is up to 25-30%. Factors predisposing to infection are closed groups gathered in a limited area, shared showers and locker rooms, as well as boots or heavy boots. Onychomycosis of the hands is much less common (3-7 times) than on the feet. Onychomycosis on the hands is 3 times more common in women, as well as in cooks, confectioners, and others, canning factory workers who have to hold their hands in water for a long time or work with sugars.

The main causative agents of onychomycosis are anthropophilic fungi - dermatophytes . Predisposing factors for susceptibility to fungal nail infections are the elderly age of patients, severe illnesses and immunodeficiency conditions, nail injuries, diabetes mellitus, vascular diseases, obesity, etc.

“Is it possible to independently diagnose fungal nail disease? What are its manifestations? The appearance of the nails undoubtedly indicates the condition of the body. Healthy nails should be shiny, smooth and pink. With a fungal infection, they become dull, whitish, dirty gray or yellow, flake and crumble, thickening and deformation of the nail plates appear. Other symptoms of fungal infection: thickening, brittleness, change in shape, curvature, transverse striations, “eaten” edges of the nail, crumbling nail plates, thinning and separation of the nail from the nail bed, beak-shaped nail shape.

Most often, however, a fungal infection begins not with a change in the appearance of the nails, but with the appearance of cracks between the toes and on the soles. And only then the nails themselves are affected. A change in the appearance of the nail plates can be caused by other reasons: trophic disorders, bacterial rather than fungal infections, eczema...

“Does fungus cause physical pain?” Most fungal infections are not accompanied by pain. But there is a type of special yeast-like fungi that cause inflammation of the tissue around the nail and aching, itchy pain.

“Is it possible to apply artificial nails to nail plates affected by fungus? Is nail modeling harmful? False nails create the perfect conditions for fungal infections to thrive. So until complete recovery, do not think about any artificial nails. They can only be created on healthy natural nails and for a short time. Nails need to breathe. When extensions are applied, nails covered with a thick layer of special glue are “clogged.”

How can you become infected with a fungal disease? Infection can occur through household items: bath mats, washcloths, manicure accessories, clothes, shoes, when visiting a swimming pool, bathhouse, sauna, gym. Fungal diseases are easily transmitted from one person to another: a simple contact of the fungus with a damaged nail or skin is enough. They get sick at any age, including children.

If someone in the household suffers from a fungal disease, then the rest of the family members usually become infected as well. Fungal infections are spread through shared shoes, carpets, towels and many other household items. Only hygiene can help. You should: • never use someone else’s shoes and do not give your shoes to others, even close people; • a family member with a fungal infection should have their own scissors, nail files and other accessories; • avoid walking barefoot at home; • if possible, disinfect all objects that the patient’s legs and arms came into contact with. Remember that most often a fungal infection begins not with a change in the appearance of the nails, but with the appearance of cracks or peeling between the toes and on the soles. And only then the nails themselves are affected. So you should sound the alarm at the first skin signs of fungus. A fungal infection on the skin can be treated much easier and faster.

Why is it necessary to treat fungal nail infections? * The disease can spread to healthy nails and skin. * Fungus can cause allergic reactions. * A person suffering from a fungal disease becomes a source of spread of fungal infection in the family and among others. * If you have fungal diseases of the skin and nails, you are not allowed to visit sports, recreational or resort facilities.

Family predisposition is a significant factor, but not the only one. Infection often occurs in public places: in baths and showers, gyms and locker rooms, in swimming pools and on beaches. Wherever there is a humid, warm environment, fungi live long and feel comfortable. Follow the basic rules: • you cannot walk barefoot in public areas; • after the pool you must take a shower; • never visit baths and swimming pools if your soles have cracks. By the way, a number of swimming pools and saunas have already introduced special means for treating feet; • after visiting public places, treat the skin of your feet with boric alcohol or some antifungal ointment, cream, gel or spray. Almost any antifungal agents or alcohol solutions of antiseptics are suitable for prevention; • do not wear rubber boots or uncomfortable shoes that rub your feet for a long time; • do not overuse synthetic socks or tights.

All of these conditions lead to sweating, which creates a microclimate favorable for the growth of fungi.

False nails create ideal conditions - a kind of incubator for fungal infections to flourish. So, when you remove the artificial nail plates, you may find your own ugly nails underneath. You can model your nails only on healthy natural plates and for a short time. Gel nails are less harmful, but also create a greenhouse effect.

Nowadays, there are many remedies and methods for treating onychomycosis, all of them are aimed at removing the etiological agent - a pathogenic fungus from the affected nails. Treatment of onychomycosis can be either local, when an antifungal drug is applied to the affected nail, or systemic, when the drug is prescribed orally.

Systemic therapy ensures that drugs penetrate the nails through the blood. A limitation of the use of systemic therapy is the risk of side effects associated with long-term, months-long use of drugs. Therefore, systemic therapy is not indicated for pregnant and nursing mothers, people with liver disease or drug allergies. Local therapy allows you to create very high concentrations of an antifungal drug on the surface of the nail. The main advantage of local therapy is the absence of side and toxic effects observed with the use of systemic drugs. The second advantage is the obviously wide spectrum of almost any local antimycotic, due to the fact that its concentration exceeds the concentration of systemic agents by 3-4 orders of magnitude. The disadvantage of local therapy is that when the drug is applied to the surface of the nail, it does not always reach the pathogen - a fungus located in the nail bed. To apply the drug to the infected nail bed in cases of hyperkeratosis, they resort to auxiliary means - keratolytics, removal of the nail plate, and cleaning of the nail bed. Currently, combination treatment of onychomycosis is most often used when local treatment is combined with systemic treatment, which will reduce the dosage and timing of the systemic drug, thereby reducing the risk of side effects.

This figure reflects the modern realities of treating onychomycosis. The percentages show which (approximately!) types of onychomycosis are more common today, and what treatment is required. As you can see, with this distribution according to the severity of the disease, external self-medication is only 10%.

Changes in nails similar to onychomycosis occur in various diseases. Not a single professional dermatologist, no matter how much experience he has, will undertake the treatment of onychomycosis without confirming the diagnosis in the laboratory, even with the most typical signs of fungus on the legs. This is a necessary condition for any infectious disease. The same applies to other nail diseases - even with the most atypical signs of fungus, research is necessary. It includes microscopy (take a piece of nail, dissolve it in alkali and study under a microscope) and bacterial culture.

Mycelium of a pathogenic fungus in culture.

Microscopy shows the presence of fungus in the nail, and culture determines its type, as well as sensitivity to antifungal agents, which allows you to choose a more effective drug for treatment.

Dermatology deals with the treatment of onychomycosis, since the treatment takes into account not only the properties of the infectious agent, but also the condition of the nails - and the latter often plays a major role. As with other diseases in dermatology, a lot depends on the experience of the attending physician. What treatment tactics should I choose? How to evaluate conflicting test data (for example, one test is negative and the other is positive)? How to choose antifungal agents? How to prescribe them without harming the patient’s body? How to reduce treatment time? How to monitor its effectiveness and safety? How to avoid relapse and reinfection? The doctor must answer all these questions, and such knowledge is not given immediately. In dermatology, there is no absolutely effective diagnostic method, much less an absolute and universal treatment method. There is only the correct selection of treatment and careful implementation of the treatment program. This requires several visits to the doctor and evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment. Contact your doctor as soon as possible. With each year of delay that you give to the fungus, you lengthen the required period of treatment and observation, add large doses of medications, and make nail treatment necessary. Don't make a very big mistake - don't take systemic medications on your own.

Non-fungal nail diseases.

Despite the fact that most nail changes turn out to be a fungus, the other nature of these changes should also be taken into account. Here we need to highlight, first of all, chronic nail injury, psoriasis and eczema. Changes in nails can occur with some common skin diseases, internal infectious diseases, damage to the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular systems, various types of intoxication, as well as dystrophy. Finally, nail changes can be congenital. These changes in the nails look similar to a fungal infection, but they are not. Treatment with antifungal drugs for non-fungal nail diseases, of course, will not be successful. This is another reason to consult a dermatologist rather than try to treat yourself if there are any changes in your nails.

Nail changes (symptoms) are usually described in special terms. Here are some of them, and non-fungal diseases that can cause these changes. However, we repeat that the most common cause of any more or less long-term changes in the nail is a fungus.

Common Causes
The nail becomes white, the nail plate becomes cloudy	Leukonychia	Psoriasis
The nail becomes white, separation of the nail plate from the nail bed	Pseudoleukonychia	Chronic injury. Psoriasis
The nail turns black	Melanonychia	Subungual hematoma. Nail tumors
The nail takes on a different color, such as yellow	Chromonychia	Yellow nail syndrome. Drug reactions
Thickening of the nail bed	Hyperkeratosis	Psoriasis. Lichen planus. Eczema. Chronic dermatitis.
Inflammation of the periungual fold	Paronychia	Bacterial infections. Simple contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis.

Chronic nail injury is the most common condition mistaken for onychomycosis. Various congenital foot deformities, wearing tight shoes, and playing sports (primarily athletics and football) lead to frequent damage to the nail plate and its separation from the nail bed. Constant trauma to the nails of the hands can be caused by professional activities, often caused by contact with various chemicals. Diseases common in dermatology: psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis when nails are involved also often resemble a fungal disease. However, unlike other skin diseases, a typical fungal infection does not involve only the fingernails. This can be observed with a yeast infection (candidiasis) of the nails with inflammation of the periungual fold. Non-fungal diseases of the nails can be observed simultaneously with onychomycosis or precede it.

When are nail changes most likely not fungal? • When only the fingernails are changed • When changes in the nails appeared soon after birth • When all 20 nails began to change at the same time • When there are manifestations of another skin disease (psoriasis, etc.)

According to statistics, every second nail disease is fungal. That is, if your nails are changed, the chance of having nail fungus is 50%, regardless of any manifestations and factors. We advise you to contact a dermatologist and get an answer to this question.

Nail fungus will not go away on its own! Once it starts, a fungal infection will not go away until the fungus is destroyed. Fungi are very tenacious and can survive for months in fallen skin scales. What then can you expect from a fungus lurking in your nails? First, fungal cells enter the skin, attach, multiply and spread on it and then, under favorable conditions, penetrate into the nail on one side. Over time, the fungus affects all parts of the nail and spreads to other nails or skin. Nail fungus is a hotbed and source of infection for infecting other parts of the body. Even if all foci of fungus on the skin of the feet or torso are cured, re-infection will occur from the remaining source of infection in the nails.

Fungal nail diseases reduce the quality of life.

Research conducted by the National Academy of Mycology has shown that the presence of nail fungus or athlete's foot significantly reduces the quality of life - a set of indicators that characterize a person's emotional, mental and social well-being. For this purpose, several thousand patients were examined and answered a special questionnaire in 2001-2002. It turned out that the quality of life with fungal nail disease decreases to an average of 50–55% of the full value characteristic of a healthy person. At the same time, patients noted not only physical inconvenience associated with thickening or destruction of nails, but also experienced various experiences, fears, and negative emotions. It was found that nail fungus greatly limits a person’s activity, interfering with his rest, exercise, and communication with other people. Moreover, feelings of inconvenience and shame about the condition of one’s nails sometimes prevented timely consultation with a doctor. The longer the disease lasted, the more severe the nail fungus became, and the worse the quality of life became.

Health problems associated with nail fungus.

The first and main health problem caused by the presence of mycosis of the nails is the fungus itself - a chronic infectious disease that steadily destroys the nails and threatens to spread to the people around them, especially members of the patient’s family. However, doctors also identify other problems caused by nail fungus. Untreated onychomycosis and mycosis of the feet are considered as an entry point for other infectious diseases - for example, bacterial - erysipelas. Fungal infection of the nails significantly complicates the course of diabetes mellitus. Allergization of the human body with a fungal infection is possible - the formation of hypersensitivity to the fungus as an allergen, that is, fungal allergy. The development or worsening of diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic dermatitis, various skin rashes and reactions is possible. In very rare, isolated cases, usually against the background of immunodeficiency, untreated nail fungus led to the development of deep mycosis - germination or penetration of the fungus with blood into the internal organs, which caused death. Fortunately, most modern patients with nail fungus do not experience such outcomes. But even if you completely exclude their possibility, you cannot leave fungal nail disease without treatment. How to treat scabies, pediculosis and other infectious diseases. If you suspect nail fungus, we advise you to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

In the diagnosis of onychomycosis, we use completely methods that are not available in most dermatological institutions: -High-precision PCR diagnostics; - Sowing with identification of any type of fungus; -High-quality KOH microscopy.

Accurate diagnosis eliminates the choice of the wrong antifungal drug and prevents the resistance of pathogenic fungi to it. The effectiveness of diagnosis allows you to start treatment as quickly as possible, without the need for repeated or multiple examinations.

Our treatment regimen for onychomycosis includes: 1. Assessment of the clinical characteristics of onychomycosis with calculation of the severity of nail damage and characteristics of their growth, 2. Prescription of antifungal drugs that precisely act on the type of fungus that causes your specific case of the disease, 3. Hardware treatment of nails, allowing immediate , safely and painlessly remove (sand) affected areas of nails containing fungus. 4. Mandatory observation after treatment and control of cure using accurate laboratory tests.

Treatment with folk remedies

For those for whom white and sometimes brown spots on the nails are a problem, you can use effective folk methods to eliminate them and strengthen the plates:

Bath with sea salt. To prepare it, you need to prepare a decoction of oak bark (1 tbsp of raw material per glass of water), take 1 tbsp. l. sea salt and 1 tsp. lemon juice. Mix everything (the broth should be warm), keep your hands in this bath for 20 minutes. After completing this procedure, it is advisable to rub your nails with a solution of vitamin E or fish oil. This procedure improves blood circulation and effectively strengthens nails. You can do it every day for 3 weeks.
Bath with potassium permanganate. Dissolve 1 tsp in 1 liter of warm water. potassium permanganate. Keep your fingers in this bath for 5 minutes, wash and dry your hands. Apply a layer of olive oil to your nails.
Bath with tea. You can keep your fingers in a strong green tea solution. The bath should last 15 minutes, after which the nail plates are lubricated with castor oil .
Beer bath. Mix a strong chamomile decoction and dark beer in equal proportions, heat until the solution is warm. Keep your hands in it for 30 minutes. After completing the procedure, rub in olive oil.
“Mask” of oils. To carry out this procedure, the nail plates are lubricated with linseed or olive oil, adding a little lemon juice to it. You can do this before going to bed, wearing gloves after lubrication. Also suitable for this procedure is olive oil, to which a few drops of iodine vitamin A solution . This procedure accelerates regenerative processes.
“Mask” with garlic. You need to crush a few cloves of garlic. Steam your hands by holding them over the steam for several minutes, then rub the garlic pulp into the nail plates. Rinse thoroughly after half an hour. This remedy should not be used if there are open wounds on the hands, or if the person cannot tolerate garlic.
Massage. You can use vegetable oil or fish oil with the addition of a few drops of vitamin A or E to massage the nail plates. The product should be slowly rubbed into them for several minutes, massaging the fingers.

Prevention

Those for whom the question of how to remove white spots on nails is relevant should follow these recommendations:

Eat well. The diet must include protein products, as well as fruits, vegetables, and herbs. It is advisable to eat nuts and wheat germ, which contain a lot of zinc.
Take proper care of your nails and hands. Do not overuse nail files or other manicure products. Moisturize your nails and constantly maintain their hygiene.
Get manicures and pedicures only from qualified professionals.
Avoid serious stressful situations.
Use nail polish removers without acetone.
Eliminate external aggressive influences. Wear gloves before using chemicals.
Provide a “rest” between painting the nail plates and applying other products.
Wear normal size shoes.

Prevention of violation

Leukonychia can occur in anyone - no one is immune from it. However, by following some preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of an unpleasant phenomenon. This will be helped by following procedures aimed at strengthening nails and observing personal safety rules.

It is recommended to work with chemicals (dishwashing detergents, floor cleaners, etc.) only with rubber gloves.
The nutritional diet must be carefully balanced.
At the first signs of the appearance of a fungus, you should urgently contact a dermatologist to begin treatment.
Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight as this can cause injury to your toes.
If you regularly use decorative varnishes, you need to periodically give your nails a rest.
It is advisable to trust a manicure only to an experienced master.

In children

Parents often notice that white spots have appeared on their child’s nails. If we are talking about a single spot that moves forward as the nail grows, then most likely it is caused by injury, and you should not worry about it.

To understand why your child has large numbers of white spots on his nails, you should visit a dermatologist with him. In a child, such signs may be associated with the following reasons:

Deficiency of calcium and other trace elements or vitamins. In this case, as a rule, other signs are also expressed. A baby with this problem has dry hair and skin, he may often catch colds, etc. In this case, the doctor will recommend making adjustments to the daily diet or prescribing appropriate medications. If there is a zinc deficiency, a child may develop longitudinal white stripes. A lack of zinc can be associated with chronic stress, pesticide poisoning, as well as a calcium deficiency, which promotes the absorption of zinc. It is also important to avoid a lack of B vitamins, as well as A, C, E.
Lack of protein. Since the basis of the nail is the protein keratin , a sufficient amount of protein is required for normal formation of the plate. In this case, it is very important to adjust your diet.
Anemia associated with iron deficiency. If the hemoglobin is too low, oxygen starvation occurs, leading to unpleasant symptoms. A baby with anemia has pale skin, gets tired quickly and complains of weakness. In this case, more iron-containing foods are introduced into the menu and appropriate medications are prescribed.

In any case, a doctor will help determine the cause. Parents should not hesitate to contact a specialist.

Eliminating white spots on nail plates

Therapy is aimed primarily at eliminating the underlying disease. If a fungus is present, the patient is prescribed local (creams, ointments) and general (tablets, capsules) antifungal drugs. If we are talking about damage to internal organs, foci of infection are neutralized with the help of antibiotics, and inflammation is relieved with anti-inflammatory drugs.

In general, nail treatment involves:

correction of the diet, drawing up an individual diet;
long-term use of multivitamin complexes;
correct alternation of periods of physical activity and rest;
limiting stress.

Particular attention should be paid to nutrition. A dermatologist gives general recommendations regarding diet; for more detailed information, it is worth visiting a nutritionist. As a rule, doctors strongly advise patients to make vegetables, fruits and dairy products the basis of their diet. As for taking vitamins in the form of tablets, it must be carried out in courses of 2-3 months, every six months.

To enhance the effect of drug therapy and diet, it is also advisable to resort to salon cosmetology procedures. Masks for hands and nails, paraffin therapy, massage with cosmetic oils are useful.

Diet

Protein diet

Efficiency: 3-4 kg in 1 week
Terms: from 3 days to 4 weeks
Cost of products: from 100 to 150 rubles. in a day

Calcium diet

Efficacy: therapeutic effect after a month
Terms: up to 3 months or more (depending on condition)
Cost of products: 1400-1500 rubles per week

It is very important that the diet is balanced, varied and nutritious. The diet must include the following products:

A variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs.
Sea fish, seaweed.
Protein products - meat, fish, eggs, dairy products.
Nuts, seeds.
Legumes.

You should adhere to the correct eating regimen and drink enough fluids.