White spots on the fingernails of fingers and toes: what does this mean?

Appearance of nail plates pinkish, smooth and strong enough, testifies to absence of problems with health. But the appearance of any pathological changes indicates a possible trouble. Including white spots on the nails (leikonihii) should attract attention to themselves and make them think about the reasons for their appearance. Point, striped, irregularly shaped spots appear in places of air accumulation in the nail plate. So how and why does he get there?

Causes of the white spots on the nails

Modern medicine is not ready to answer in detail the question of why white spots appear on the nails. A number of reasons can contribute to improper development of the structure of the nail plate. It is normally densely composed of both shingles of many miniature porous platelets and consists mainly of protein. Most researchers support the hypothesis that clusters of air bubbles between insufficiently cornified cells appear as a result of the violation of the functions of nail formation in the matrix (its root) under the influence of various factors. In histological studies of the nail specimen with leuconichia, normal keratinized and parakeratotic (non-keratinized) cells are found.

The most common cause of leukonihia are nail injuries. It can be bumps, cuts, scratches of the nail bed, exposure to chemicals contained in detergents, cleaning products, nail polish. The most common traumatic cause of white spots on the nails in adults is an edging manicure, in which the cuticle and eponymichus are removed, exposing the areas of unfinished keratinization. The situation is aggravated by regular coating of nails with decorative varnish, as well as other cosmetic tricks, for example, gluing overhead acrylic nails. No wonder many women note that they have white spots on the nails after the varnish, although in fact the starting point was the injury of the matrix during cuticle circumcision.

Anomalies of keratinization in the form of leukonichia are found in liver diseases, digestive and excretory organs, hyperthyroidism, as they are accompanied by metabolic and trophic disorders, intoxication, hypoalbumism (protein deficiency), which is considered the most common cause of total leukonichia.

Almentary factor is called among the causes linking white spots on the nails and the deficiency of vitamins, minerals or protein in the body. The risk group includes vegetarians, athletes, pregnant and lactating women, elderly people who require increased consumption, mainly of zinc, as well as vitamins, other microelements that actively participate in the synthesis of albumins and their assimilation.

Hereditary predisposition (dominant trait) leads to family forms of total leukonichia.

White spots on the nails were noted as a professional pathology in workers in contact with brine.

Other risk factors for the appearance of white spots on the nails are severe systemic infections, congestive heart failure, nervous system diseases, lymphomas and leukemia, intoxication with carbon dioxide, thallium or arsenic compounds, as well as drugs from the group of sulfonamides and anthracyclines.

Subtotal infiltration of the nail with air is a secondary sign of some diseases of the nails - onychography, psoriasis.

Closely connected partial white patches on the nails and fungus. The so-called false leukonichia is one of the main symptoms of nail trichophytosis. With normotrophic type of mycosis, only the color of the nail changes.

The pathogenesis of leukonichia has not been fully revealed. Often it is a symptom of various diseases and is considered as part of the mechanism of their development.

The most common point form, the main pathogenetic link which is considered to be injuries of the nail matrix. White spots at the same time change their location along the nail growth and in the absence of new mechanical damages safely disappear.

Pathogenesis

In the pathogenesis of strip-like white spots, both traumas and trophic disturbances, toxic substances intoxication are considered.

Partial persistent whitening of the nail plate, as well as diffuse (total) is caused, mainly, by serious endogenous causes - genetic, severe hypoalbumism, lymphoproliferative pathologies. Although sometimes the causes of any form of leukonichia remain unknown. Nails get a uniformly white matte color, the same with the nail lunochka, which is explained by the decrease in the number of blood vessels in the epithelium of the nail bed and the proliferation of connective tissue.

The real statistics of the appearance of white spots on the nails is unknown. Nail injuries are very often received in childhood, almost always children's nails are decorated with white spots and stripes. Adults also face pinpoint or striped leukonichia traumatic genesis regularly. White spots are more noticeable on the nails of the hands of women, because women's hands are in an aggressive environment, usually more often than men's. At least in everyday life. Such problems are rarely addressed to a doctor. Unless pathological changes of the nail plate persistently do not pass, but, on the contrary, become a hindrance and cause discomfort.

Fungal nail infections account for about a third of all diseases of the nail plate, with 10 to 20% of the planet's inhabitants directly affected. In the overwhelming majority of cases (from 70 to 95%), the causative agents are fungi of the species Trichophyton rubrum, in others - by other representatives of the same species.

White spots on the nails of different shapes and prevalence on the nail plate, from the stripes to total whitening, almost always (in 80% of cases) are accompanied by chronic diffuse lesions of the liver. A similar phenomenon is observed in patients with other systemic diseases - toxic goiter, diabetes mellitus, lymphoproliferative diseases, alimentary dystrophy and others.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

Symptoms

Changing the color of nails can be as an innocent consequence of a stroke or scratching of the nail plate, and evidence of serious pathological changes in the body. And if in the first case white dots or stripes on one or several nails pass independently with the growth of the nail, in others - the appearance of stubborn defects, and also the increase in their number can be treated as the first signs of the disease. Moreover, in most cases, nail defects are not the only symptom of the disease.

So, what can mark white spots on the fingernails of fingers. They definitely attract more attention, and notice them on the fingers of their hands rather than on their feet. Spots of traumatic genesis are more often noted on the nails of the thumb, index finger and middle finger than on the ring finger and little finger, although this is also possible. Points and stripes that occur after injuries are usually found on the nail of one or more fingers, but not at all. If you hit all the nails and a lot of white spots on the nails, this is an occasion to reflect. Unless you have a habit of gnawing or somehow otherwise regularly injuring nail plates.

Traumatic lesions can appear in the form of white spots and on the nails of the legs. If you notice such defects and, besides them, nothing else bothers, then you should analyze how comfortable your shoes are. White spots on the nails of the feet may appear in people who prefer narrow-knitted shoes. Traumatic leukonichia, especially given localization, is easily confused with onychomycosis. For differentiation, diagnostics is always necessary.

In addition to injuries, there are many white spots on the nails of people experiencing the effects of severe or prolonged stress. In this case, neurological symptoms are attached, the patient may show signs of a depressive disorder. Many spots, both single and merging in stripes, can indicate vitamin deficiency, a small protein deficiency, and be a consequence of dietary intake, malnutrition or metabolic disorders, uremia, in which the necessary substances are not absorbed or intensively removed from the body. Typically, the patient to the presence of spots and stripes on the nails is joined by the symptomatology of systemic indisposition (fatigue, poor health, dizziness), pain in the side in diseases of the kidneys. If you do not pay attention to such symptoms, then the disease will develop - there will be white spots on the nails of the legs, the size of the spots will increase.

Types of leukonichia correspond to certain specific diseases and may indicate their stage of development. Points and stripes consisting of them indicate that the disease is still developing, more extensive lesions of the nail plate indicate the duration of the chronic process or severity of the acute. In this case, in addition to white spots on the nails, patients have additional symptoms. The most innocuous kind of leukonichia is dotted. Strips consisting of dots, perhaps, can be attributed to this species.

However, there are strips related to subtotal (partial or limited) leukonichia. These are persistent white bands, occupying about 40 to 80% of the surface of the nail plate. They are also subdivided into species.

The Mass lines are quite distinct white bands running across the nail and moving as it grows. There may be one strip or several, there are on all the fingers. Such nails can indicate poisoning with carbon dioxide, thallium salts, arsenic compounds, anthracycline-type antibiotics, sulfanilamide preparations. In patients with lymphogranulomatosis (Hodgkin's disease), as well as with stagnant phenomena in the heart, the same pattern can appear on the nails.

In patients with poisonings, the severity of symptoms of intoxication is dose-dependent - it is general weakness, dyspepsia, jaundice, symptoms of nervous system damage. With lymphogranulomatosis, the primary symptom is an increase in peripheral lymph nodes, often cervical and supraclavicular, but there may be other localization. At the beginning of the disease the general condition of the patient is normal.

The first signs of congestive heart failure are not specific - it is weakness, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, nails at the same time acquire a cyanotic shade.

The lines of Murke - a white spot near the base of the nail almost reaching its middle, are on all the fingers. Characteristic for patients with mild degrees of protein deficiency (hypoalbumism). The indicator of the protein component in the blood is less than 35 g / l. The main symptom is swelling. This condition can accompany many diseases important for life organs - digestion, discharge, lungs, diabetes, extensive injuries, adherence to rigid diets.

Murke lines are sometimes observed in severe neurological conditions, stress and depression.

A white spot at the base of the nail, one or two or three, on the hands or on the legs may be the first sign of mycotic leukonichia (white superficial onychomycosis). Characteristic for HIV infection. Then all the nails are affected and the defect spreads to the entire surface of the nail plate. White spots on the nails have a surface resembling a small scattering of powder.

White spots with a fungal infection can turn yellow, the nail becomes thickened, a stratification and an unpleasant odor appear. Nails become brittle and begin to crumble. Approximately the same picture can be observed with psoriasis and eczema.

White-yellow spots can be found in smokers with leuconichia. In this category of patients, avitaminosis, hypoproteinemia and the development of chronic pathologies are also likely. Leuconichia in combination with a low-quality nail varnish can also lead to the appearance of yellow-white spots. Other dystrophic processes after the transfer of severe infections, stress can provoke the appearance of white-yellow spots on the nails.

White and black spots on the nails are called Terry's nails or half-nails. The section at the root of the nail (proximal) is painted white, the upper (distal) part is of a dark color, in the same part a pinkish or brownish transverse band is usually observed. This coloration is characteristic for patients with cirrhosis of the liver, uremia, congestive heart failure and is physiological in deep old age.

Total leukonichia - whitening of more than 80% of the surface of the nail plate may accompany the rather difficult stages of hypoproteinemia (the protein content in the blood is less than 20 g / l), congenital hereditary pathologies (manifest from birth or in childhood), severe stages of congestive heart failure, hyperthyroidism, on the development of lymphoma or leukemia. Sometimes the causes of whitening of the nails, even after careful diagnosis, remain unknown, nevertheless to answer the question: why did the white spots appear on the nails in an adult person, only the doctor can after a detailed survey.

White spots on the nails during pregnancy arise for the same reasons. Individual white spots or stripes on several nails are usually of traumatic origin. Pregnant women perform homework, contacting with aggressive substances, take care of their hands - doing manicure and nail extensions.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the mother's body needs a full-fledged diet saturated with proteins, vitamins and trace elements. White spots may indicate insufficient amount of nutrients in the mother's diet.

Also, during pregnancy, diseases that are latent in the body can become acute and manifest. If white spots are present on all fingers or almost the entire nail plate is affected, fingernails and toenails, it is necessary to sharpen the attention of the physician and to undergo a checkup so as not to start the disease, endure and give birth to a healthy child.

White spots on the child's nails, even quite numerous, mostly appear as a result of injuries. If the child has a habit of gnawing the nails, the stains from the fingers simply do not go away. However, all other reasons for the appearance of this defect for the child are not excluded.

Thus, the alimentary factor may manifest itself, it is necessary to analyze the diet of the child. Stressful situations, kidney and liver diseases, recently transferred infections, fungal infection, lymphoproliferative diseases - all this can happen in childhood, so with a prolonged nature of the defect is to pay a visit to the doctor. If total leukonichia is observed in a baby, then this may be a symptom of congenital pathology.

Diagnostics of the white spots on the nails

The presence of leukonichia is determined visually and does not present any difficulties. But the definition of the cause of whitening of the nail plates requires a number of diagnostic measures.

You may need blood tests - clinical to determine its composition, biochemical, liver tests, testing for thyroid hormones. The general analysis of urine, special analyzes, for example, according to Nechyporenko, are done to assess the work of the kidneys. Scraping the fungus and its microscopic examination to exclude mycosis. The type of tests to be administered will depend on the expected diagnosis.

For the same purpose, appropriate instrumental diagnostics will be carried out.

[7], [8], [9]

Differential diagnosis

Based on the results of the examinations, a differential diagnosis is performed, which should set a point and determine the cause that caused the appearance of the defect.

[10],

Treatment of the white spots on the nails

Single dot spots usually do not bother their owners. Massive and permanent lesions of nail plates, multiple streaks and points on each finger attract attention, cause anxiety, and the question arises: how to get rid of white spots on the nails?

The consequences of minor and unnoticed injuries do not require treatment, nails grow - white dots and dashes are cut as the nail grows. In this case, you can recommend preventive measures: wear household gloves, planning work with the likelihood of nail injury, mechanical or chemical; go to the unedged manicure, change the master to a more accurate and conscientious, do not use aggressive nail polishes and liquids to remove them, eradicate bad habits - gnaw nails, injure them in any other ways. You can visit the beauty salon to conduct medical and cosmetic procedures or take advantage of the people's experience of strengthening the nails.

A large number of white stripes, subtotal and total leukonichia often occurs due to hypoalbumism (protein deficiency). This condition can be the result of inaccuracies in the diet, as well as various diseases leading to increased excretion or a decrease in the synthesis and assimilation of protein in the body. Basically, it requires diagnosis. If the cause of the deficit is an alimentary factor, adjusting the diet is sometimes enough. Sometimes complex treatment is required, which includes both dietary intake and the intake of vitamin and mineral complexes.

To hypoalbumism often leads to a deficiency of zinc in the body, one of the symptoms of which is leukonichia. The inadequacy of this chemical element arises for various reasons and with pronounced clinical signs of nutrition adjustment is not enough. Zinc from white spots on the nails can be prescribed in dosage forms, for example, Zincetral tablets  . The lack of zinc disrupts the enzymatic activity of more than two hundred enzymes and adversely affects all metabolic processes. To make up for the deficiency, patients older than four years are prescribed one tablet of the drug once a day one hour before a meal. After eating, you must wait for at least two hours before taking the meal. Under such a scheme, the bioavailability of Cincetral is the highest. Adults can be assigned to take two tablets at a time, or in the morning and evening, one at a time. The duration of the appointment is determined by the doctor. There is an overdose, especially with parallel intake of vitamin-mineral complexes with zinc. During the course of therapy, the drug limits the use of alcohol, coffee and strong tea. If the drug is taken for a long time, it is necessary to combine it with taking medications of copper.

Some associate the appearance of leukonichias with anemia and effective in this case are iron preparations, vitamins of group B. Balanced vitamin and mineral complexes, especially during periods of increased nervous and physical stress, after the transferred infections and stresses will help the body to cope with the deficit or prevent it. For example, vitamin-mineral preparation  Centrum,  containing vitamins A, E, K, C and D, a full spectrum of B vitamins, as well as - 15 minerals help restore proper metabolism, and raise immunity restore healthy nail external appearance.

For the regeneration of nail growth, the doctor can recommend  Revalid, containing vitamins A, E, D, group B, zinc and silicon, copper and iron; Panto-navar, which has a similar composition; Doppelgerz Active  - 13 vitamins and 14 elements of the periodic table, compensating for food errors, increased mental and physical loads.

With hypoalbumism caused by diseases of the internal organs, the doctor prescribes treatment of the underlying disease plus to drugs replenishing the deficit found.

Detection of infection with a fungus requires the identification of its type and treatment with external antifungal drugs, sometimes it is necessary to connect systemic therapy. The pharmacies offer a wide range of products: varnishes, gels, solutions, ointments, tablets. Self-medication may be ineffective, only exacerbate the situation and contribute to the spread of the infection.

Outwardly from nail fungus is applied Laceril lacquer  , the active substance of which amorolfine hydrochloride belongs to the newest generation of antifungal agents, affecting the cellular sterols of fungi. Has antimycotic action in relation to a wide range of fungi, parasitizing on human nails. When applied to the nails, the active ingredient penetrates well into hard-to-reach places and can destroy fungi in the nail bed. Systemic action of the lacquer is minimal. Effective with mycotic lesions without affecting the root of the nail. Regularly applied to the nail files supplied with the kit, cleaned and degreased nails until the symptoms disappear. Usually the course of continuous treatment takes from six months to a year.

When poisoning, organopathies, polyneuropathies, lymphoproliferative, hereditary and other diseases, the doctor prescribes appropriate therapy in conjunction with the intake of vitamins, as well as physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy is a serious alternative to the medical treatment of fungal nail diseases. Ultraviolet rays of short spectrum completely destroy sporulation. Ozone therapy, laser therapy is also used in the treatment of onychomycosis, they have a local effect, in contrast to the previous method, so they can be prescribed to patients with diseases of the internal organs, which are contraindicated in systemic physical effects.

The general strengthening effect on the nail plate is iontophoresis, vitamin phonophoresis, heating with high-frequency currents.

To surgical treatment usually do not resort, however, at serious traumas radical intervention - removal of a nail is carried out.

Folk treatment

To strengthen and improve the nail plates with minor manifestations of leukonichia, as well as in addition to the drug treatment course, you can use traditional medicine recipes. Certainly, white specks from such procedures will not pass until the nail grows, but the nails will not be left without results.

The simplest procedure for strengthening the nails on the hands and feet is a bath with sea salt. A regular course of fifteen daily procedures will make the nails firmer and cleaner. Sea salt diluted in water at a temperature of about 40-45 ℃ in the proportions: a teaspoon per liter. The duration is about a quarter of an hour.

After that, you can rub garlic juice into the steamed nails, it has bactericidal properties, provide local nail plate and skin around it with vitamins and microelements.

It is good to rub the nails with the inner part of the peel of lemon, grapefruit or orange. Do not forget to do this when drinking tea with lemon or eating citrus.

Before any procedure, it is better to steam up the nails, you can simply in well-warm water, you can in salted.

After that, apply a brush on the nails with a warm vegetable oil mixed with lemon juice (a tablespoon of oil squeezes a couple drops of juice from the lemon). You can rub fish oil or oil solution of vitamins A and E, and mix them as a fatty base with lemon juice.

Recommend to use at night, the so-called home nail polish for the treatment of nails: for 3.5 tablespoons vegetable, preferably olive oil, add five drops of iodine and the same capsules of the oil solution of vitamins A and E.

In case of nail trauma, after trimmed manicure it is recommended to make trays with infusion of medicinal herbs. Herbal treatment promotes the healing and disinfection of microtraumas, as well as the improvement of blood circulation, vitaminization and nutrition.

For the baths, the oak bark, chamomile flowers and marigolds, herbaceous grass, St. John's wort, yarrow, both separately and in mixtures are used.

You can brew such a composition: equal parts of dried leaves of milkweed, onion husks, turns, St. John's wort, yarrow mix and brew a tablespoon for 200ml of boiling water. After a quarter of an hour, the fingers are lowered into an unprimed infusion for about 20 minutes. Do not wipe, and lightly wet your hands.

All procedures are recommended to be done at bedtime for three weeks, at night it is good to wear simple gloves.

[11]

Homeopathy

When pathological processes in the body, affecting the condition of the nails are used various homeopathic preparations. Most often, when white spots and transverse bands appear, Silicea (Silicea) is used, and Arsenicum album (Arsenicum album) can be prescribed. If the patient is inclined to gnaw the nails, Arum triphyllum (Arum triphyllum) may be prescribed. The yellowish color of the nails suggests the appointment of Conium (Conium), with the fungus of the nails - the drugs of choice Antimonium crudum (Antimonium croudum), Fluoricum acidum (Fluoricum acidum), Thuja (Thuya). However, the condition of the nails is not the only sign that determines the choice of the drug. Homeopathy assumes an integrated approach and takes into account many factors. Therefore, for treatment to be effective, you should consult a professional.

Complications and consequences

In the overwhelming majority of cases, the injured nails grow back, specks disappear and no negative health effects should follow. Usually this applies to point leukonichia on individual fingers. On the legs, the nail can also be injured, for example, during a pedicure.

Stratus, subtotal and total leukonichia often are symptoms of serious enough pathologies, so ignore them not worth it. Diseased diseases and scarce conditions are much more difficult to treat.

In addition, a white spot even on one nail can be a symptom of onychomycosis, as a result of which the infection can pass to other nails. Fungal affected nail plates are not only unaesthetic appearance, but also cause serious discomfort. In addition, the affected nail can even be lost.

[12], [13], [14]

Prevention

To prevent the appearance of white spots and stains on nails, you can follow the banal recommendations: fully eating, resting qualitatively, less nervous. In short, again the same healthy, healthy lifestyle.

In addition, the prevention of injuries - adherence to the elementary rules of safe work with aggressive substances (gloves), wearing comfortable shoes, the choice of quality and professional nail care.

[15], [16],

Forecast

By themselves, white spots on the nails are not dangerous for life and health, however, they can indicate the presence of serious pathological processes. If the whitening of the nails is diffuse and all nails are affected, it is necessary to find out the cause of this condition, and the prognosis will depend entirely on the diagnosis.

[17]

What do white spots on the nails mean? Signs

An ineradicable desire to foresee your future has always been inherent in man. Everything was used, in particular, special attention was paid to temporary marks. It was impossible to ignore such noticeable spots and dashes of white color, from time to time appearing on the nails of the hands.

Unlike modern doctors, which are the most harmless cause of the appearance of leukonichias called minor damage to the matrix of nail plates, most popular beliefs about "blossoming" nails are much more optimistic.

Whitish specks and dashes were interpreted as the appearance of new things in the wardrobe, and the number of alleged updates corresponded to the number of defects that appeared.

In a more global sense, the appearance of leukonichia was interpreted as a future positive change in life, for the patients they promised a speedy recovery. And the nails tried not to cut, so that the speck remained until the fulfillment of desire.

The spots on each finger had their own meaning, although not all sources interpret these values in the same way. For example, stains on the thumbnail in almost all sources promise pleasant changes - new things, gifts, a new profitable business that will bring in a good income, but you will have to work hard for it, and besides - winnings in cards, on races, in the lottery.

Much worse was the case when there were white spots on the nail of the index finger. This promised sad events, the appearance of some kind of troublesome care, ill-wishers. He was treated as a sign to stop, to wait, to take a breath.

But a white spot on the nail of the middle finger foreshadowed a joyous event, at least - a successful purchase, globally - great luck, good earnings, personal happiness.

Not everything is clear with a fingernail on the ring finger, here there are diametrically opposite discrepancies. Some sources claim that white spots on an unnamed nail - unfortunately, others - to the appearance of new things. For married couples, the appearance of specks on this nail promised grandiose scandals leading to a rupture and, at the same time, consoled the proximity of the emergence of new relations.

White spot on the little finger of the little finger promised love, young girls - a fast marriage, interesting trips, creative success. However, the spots that appeared on the fingernails of little fingers of both hands warned of possible theft.

The more spots there were, the more happy events or bustle and worries they predicted. Size also had a value and was interpreted in proportion to the expected events, however, a large spot on the entire nail presaged neither more nor less, but quick death.

Nail flowering in children has always been treated as a good omen, regardless of the location on the fingers.

Localization of the spot indicated the speed of the event. The closer to the edge of the nail, the sooner the omen should be executed. Therefore, people tried to cut off the nail with a spot that gave trouble, and thereby prevent the event or, conversely, for a long time did not cut it, waiting for joy, happiness, gifts.