Dark spots or dots on the nails. White dots on nails - reasons and signs

There are many ways to diagnose diseases. External examination, patient questioning, radiography, ultrasound diagnostics, as well as computed tomography can tell a lot about our health. But only in the case when the disease has already developed or is in a stage close to the beginning of development. But what if you don't have an ultrasound machine or a tomograph at hand? Or is the disease still invisible? So, many people think about the causes of white spots on the fingernails. Where do they come from and what do they signal?

Take a look at your nails

Nails, as well as hair and skin, are the first to signal that things are not going well in the body. If the color, shape and general condition of the nail plates change, there is a reason to consult a doctor.

In China, for example, the examination of the nails is the main one in the treatment of the patient. the energy channels of the hands are directly connected with the internal organs.

Nails tell us about those changes in health that have occurred over the past six months. This happens because this period is required for a complete renewal of the nail plate. The appearance of blotches on it can also indicate a genetic predisposition to the disease. Knowing this, you can prevent many diseases.

The presence of hepatitis, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, and cancer is determined by the nails. This list can include kidney pathology and diseases of the spine, circulatory disorders and even fungus.

The main causes of white spots

Before you go to the doctor, still try to figure out for yourself what is the reason for the poor condition of the nails. Thus, you will make it easier for the doctor, because the treatment of the disease is to eliminate the cause, not the symptom.

What can you do yourself? First, restore your daily routine. Take a vacation or just try to get some rest. Review your diet, make your food more complete. Vegetables, fruits, vegetable and animal proteins are what you need in this case. Fermented milk products, spinach, parsley and celery are useful. Take a course of vitamins, micro- and macroelements.

Fungal diseases can be recognized by the accompanying itching and burning, the appearance of cracks in the skin. This is the hypostasis of a dermatovenerologist - it is he who should be paid a visit in the coming days. You can go to a regular clinic or to a private institution. Fungus treatment should not be trusted by the masters in beauty salons.

A nail injury cannot be treated. You should wait until it grows back. But to help the regrowth process, you can use castor oil, tea tree oil or special medicinal creams. Oil solutions of vitamins A and E are also used.

Microtrauma resulting from poor-quality manicure, as well as damage caused by chemicals, can be corrected at home. Hot medical baths should be done daily, followed by the application of nutritional formulations.

Of the drugs, fluconazole, levorin are effective, among antifungal drugs - nizoral and clotrimazole. When choosing vitamins, pay attention to the compatibility of some of them. For example, calcium cannot be absorbed without vitamin D.

Here are some tips for home nail care:

1. Salt baths. Add some table or sea salt to a container of warm water. Put your hands in there and hold for about ten minutes. Repeat this procedure at least twice a week.
2. Herbal infusions. Buy oak bark and chamomile flowers at the pharmacy. Mix in equal proportions and brew. Make the same bath as for salt. At the end of the procedure, lubricate your nails with a nutritious oil.
3. Iodine. They can be used to lubricate the affected areas, and can also be added to hot baths.
4. Lemon juice and various oils. Did you know that nails love acid and grease the most? If not, then here are excellent remedies for preventing breakage and other problems. After cutting the lemon in half, place your nails directly into the lemon pulp and hold for a while. Lemon juice also whitens. Take any oil you have at home, be it cosmetic or herbal, and lubricate your nails and cuticles as often as possible throughout the day. The appearance of the hands will return to normal very quickly.

You can also use formulations with several ingredients:

• 65 milliliters of olive oil, 5 drops of vitamin A and three drops of iodine;
• Dissolve five drops of lemon juice in one hundred milliliters of warm vegetable oil;
• add a tablespoon of sea salt to the warm broth of parsley.

Remember that the presence of white spots on the nails is not a happy omen, as some think, but a signal that your body needs help. Don't ignore him.

What problems do not affect our long-suffering nails! And fungus, and longitudinal stripes, and fragility. And so you want to look and feel perfect. After all, even the smallest defects in appearance cause internal discomfort and self-doubt.

Today we will touch upon another unpleasant topic that raises a lot of questions - these are white dots on the fingernails.

What do the white dots on the nails mean? The main question that arises when a problem is discovered. In fact, these points do not give any painful sensations, do not bother a person. True, they spoil the appearance of the nails a little, but the manicure successfully hides this defect.

White dots on the nails have a scientific name - leukonychia. It is of two types: true and false. True occurs in rare cases and speaks of a complete violation of the extracellular structure of the nail. And false leukonychia is quite common and the main reason for its occurrence is that the nail plate is not formed correctly.

Of course, only a doctor can determine what type of leukonychia is specific in your case. And he will tell you about the methods of treatment in detail. We, in turn, will simply try to help understand the true causes and possible treatment of such a phenomenon as - white dots on the fingernails.

White dots on nails: cause, treatment

White dots on the nails: the reason

Why do white dots appear on the nails? Let's try to find out the main reasons:

1. Nail fungus. As a result of fungal infections of the skin and nails, white dots appear as a secondary sign of the disease.
2. Overwork. Not everyone is able to tolerate the frantic pace of life without stress. The emotional state fails, and the person has side effects in the form of depression, overwork, lack of sleep. Sometimes it appears as white dots on the nails.
3. Diet. As doctors do not repeat about the dangers of mono-diets on human health, few people listen to them in pursuit of a slender figure. As a result of poor and limited nutrition, vitamin deficiency develops. Lack of vitamins A, E, D, C, zinc, iron, calcium affects the health of nails.
4. Kidney disease. If the white dots are located at the tip of the nail, this indicates a serious pathology - kidney disease.
5. Lack of protein in the body. A vegetarian diet can both improve your health and be harmful. Therefore, it is especially important to add plant proteins to food, which are present, for example, in legumes.
6. Nail injuries. Inaccurate manicure, careless damage to the nail plate can lead to white dots on the nails.
7. What do the white dots on the nails mean? As you can see, there are many reasons. In addition, they can signal serious malfunctions in the body: impaired metabolism, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular diseases.

Of course, we can only guess what the white dots on the nails are talking about. The exact reason cannot be found without special laboratory tests. But the general recommendations for treatment are still worth listing.

How to get rid of white dots on your nails?

1. If the cause of whiteheads is fungal nail infection, use antifungal agents. They can be purchased at a pharmacy (Lotseril, Batrafen). And you can make healing baths for nails with sea salt, potassium permanganate. Essential oils have proven themselves in the fight against nail fungus: tea tree oil, celandine oil. In addition, they strengthen nails and prevent brittleness.
2. Did you get white dots on your nails as a result of overwork? Then the solution to the problem is obvious. A good sleep, walks in the fresh air, rest will relieve not only of white dots on the nails, but also of other troubles.
3. Instead of dieting, start eating healthily. After all, we get better not from a specific product, but from the amount of "harmfulness" eaten. Therefore, five meals a day in small portions with the intake of a vitamin complex will solve the problem with the nails. And remember: vegetables and fruits should be the basis of the diet, not buns with candy.
4. Protein in the diet must be mandatory. Doctors argue: is there enough plant protein for the human body or animal protein cannot be replaced? There is no definite answer yet. Therefore, in addition to vegetable protein, add eggs, cottage cheese, dairy products, milk to the diet.
5. If white dots appear as a result of careless handling of manicure accessories, do not worry. The nail plate will recover over time and the white spots will naturally disappear.
6. How to remove white dots on nails with diseases of internal organs? Solving this issue on your own is dangerous to health. Only a therapist, upon examination, will prescribe tests and treatment that will relieve all ailments.

Why are white spots on fingernails and how to treat?

By fixing the root cause of the white dots, the problem will go away on its own. But in order to help nails acquire a natural look, and at the same time strengthen them, experienced manicurists recommend making a salt bath for nails:

• First, take one tablespoon of parsley herb, grind it and leave for an hour in a glass of hot water.
• Then add one tablespoon of sea salt to this infusion.
• We lower our hands for 20 minutes, then wipe them off.
• It is advisable to carry out the procedure every other day for two weeks, then the effect of using the healing bath will not be long in coming.

Prevention of the appearance of white dots on the nails

In order not to be tormented by the question: "Why are there white dots on the nails?", Do not forget about the prevention of the disease.

The methods of excluding any possible disease are as old as the world, but they still need to be constantly refreshed in memory:

• replace harmful products with useful ones;
• eliminate alcohol, smoking, or at least reduce them to a minimum;
• rest more and protect the body from stress and overwork;
• take multivitamin complexes;
• take good care of your nails, make masks, baths, nourish with useful essential oils;
• at the slightest symptoms that signal a malfunction in the body, consult a doctor.

Take proper care of your hands, nails, and the whole body in order to timely identify the malaise and begin effective treatment. Take care of yourself and be healthy!

Video about the appearance of white spots on the nails

White spots can be of various shapes, types and sizes. They can appear both on one nail and cover all nail plates of the hand. Moreover, such a defect can affect not only the nails of the hands, but also the legs, although the latter occurs somewhat less frequently.

The spots are of the following types:

• point;
• striped.

The nail may have a small speck or a larger white spot. Moreover, education can be both single and multiple. Also, the nail plate can be mottled with one strip or stains in large quantities. The strip can be located on the nail both horizontally and vertically.

By the scale of coverage of the nail plate, spots are:

• limited degree;
• total degree.

Formations on a white nail, with a limited degree, cover several nails, as a rule, no more than two. Moreover, a white dot or divorce affects a small area of ​​the nail plate.

The total degree of white spots is characterized by the defeat of the entire area of ​​the nail plate or all nails at once.

Like many visual defects in a particular part of the human body, the causes of white spots are divided into external and internal.

External causes of white spots on the nails

The appearance of white blotches or stripes on the nail plates can be due to various factors. Among the external reasons are:

1. Nail injury.
2. Poor manicure.
3. Use of aggressive household cleaning products.
4. The habit of biting your nails.
5. The use of agents that are unsafe for human health in manicure.
6. The use of low-quality products when removing varnish from nails.

With an awkward movement, the finger can be pinched quite strongly, after which, over time, a white speck or dash may appear on the nail of the affected finger. If the nail plate is severely damaged, it can be streaked with many white formations, however, sooner or later they will disappear on their own.

Also, white spots can appear with nail extension or unprofessional cuticle removal. Over time, with a complete renewal of the nail plate, the spots will disappear by themselves. To avoid a recurrence of the problem, the next time it is worth contacting a specialist.

Household chemicals containing a harsh chemical can damage the appearance of your nails, causing white streaks to appear. This problem is extremely easy to solve: when using aggressive cleaning products, it is enough to wear rubber gloves, so you can not only extend the life of a manicure, but also protect your nails from the appearance of ugly stains.

It is imperative to get rid of the habit of biting your nails. Not only is this a shameful activity, but it also prevents you from growing beautiful and healthy nails.

Care should be taken to ensure that the nails are covered with high-quality varnish in the nail salon, otherwise, when using a cheap varnish, the nail plate may be mottled with annoying white stripes and dots. It is also worth choosing nail polish removers from trusted manufacturers; you should not save on the health and beauty of your nails.

Internal causes of white spots on the nails

It is much more serious to take white formations on the nails due to internal reasons. These include:

1. Lean unbalanced diet.
2. Eating disorders.
3. Diseases of the digestive system.
4. Vitamin deficiency.
5. Depressive states, nervous strain.
6. Fungus.
7. Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
8. Renal failure in the chronic stage.
9. Disrupted metabolism.

Each of these diseases is characterized by a special location and shape of white spots on the nails. So, with prolonged fasting and a diet with severe dietary restrictions, a pair of white stripes are streaked across the nail across the nail. In a depressive lingering state, a white circle appears in the central part of the nail, it disappears with a complete change of the nail plate. A small white mark that appears on the nail may indicate the development of spring vitamin deficiency in a person.

Interspersed with white on the nail plate, gradually covering an ever larger scale, may indicate prolonged hypovitaminosis. In diseases of the digestive system, the affected area - arms and legs - have a total degree. If white spots cover a small area of ​​the nail plate, it thickens, a yellow plaque appears, the nail delaminates, which causes it to emit an unpleasant putrid odor, then we can talk about a fungal infection.

Getting rid of white spots on the nails

With permanent damage to the nails with white spots, it is necessary to check the state of health in order to take the right measures to eliminate them. If the reason for the appearance of this defect lies in poor nutrition, then the lack of vitamins should be replenished by drinking a vitamin complex on the recommendation of a specialist. It is necessary to regulate the intake of iron, zinc, calcium, vitamins of groups A, C and E into the body. At the same time, it is recommended to completely abandon the use of sugary foods, semi-finished products, fast food, products containing preservatives. You should eat fish, meat, curd products, cheeses.

If a nail is infected with a fungus, then it is necessary to promptly organize its treatment, since there is a high risk that the fungus will spread to other nails.

Whatever the shape and location of the spots on the nails, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination of the body in order to identify the causes of the spots. If problems are found in a particular area, it must be eliminated without delay.

Traditional methods of eliminating white spots on the nails

The piggy bank of folk recipes has prepared many effective ways to get rid of white spots on the nails. Here are some of the simplest and most effective recipes:

1. The use of potassium permanganate.
2. Garlic application.
3. The use of lemon and vegetable oil.
4. Use of salt.

To eliminate white spots, potassium permanganate baths help well. It is extremely simple to prepare such a bath: you need to add a little potassium permanganate to the water so that the solution acquires a weakly saturated color. Immerse your hands in such a solution for 10-15 minutes.

Garlic is very effective in treating white spots. First, the nails need to be steamed in hot water. Then you should rub a mass of garlic grated on a fine grater into a dry nail plate. The mass should be left on the nails as long as possible.

For the next recipe, mix equal parts fresh lemon juice and vegetable oil. Place the affected nails in the liquid, holding them for as long as possible.

Salt can be used to treat white spots on nails. It needs to be mixed with lukewarm water to get a fairly strong solution, dip your nails into it and keep it for 20-25 minutes.

What do white spots on nails mean?

Interestingly, since ancient times, people attributed a hidden meaning to these spots.

For example, a thumbnail affected by a stain indicated that a pleasant and useful purchase was soon awaiting its owner. According to another version, it was believed that the owner of the spot on the thumb was somewhat lazy and he should gather his courage and start working, exerting all his strength, and then his diligence will certainly pay off with some useful reward in the household. The people believed that a nail with a spot on the thumb should not be cut until a person takes possession of the material benefits that this white spot supposedly promises him.

If such a stain appears on the index finger, expect adversity and sadness. True, the people said that in such a difficult period a warm-hearted person will surely knock on a person's hut, who will listen to all the sorrows and give good advice.

A true companion of good luck was considered a white spot that appeared on the nail of the middle finger. The stain promised its owner barns bursting with grain, abundant milk yield, hospitable father's house. But if a mark of white color was guessed on the nail, then this could mean an enemy who had nailed to a successful owner and intrigues from envious people.

Under the white spot on the nail of the ring finger, the people meant misfortune, disagreement and a big scandal in the family.

The white mark on the little finger nail carried only good news, not overshadowed by any circumstances.

By the appearance of the nails, one can judge the health of a person. The condition of the nail plate is capable of reflecting changes in the body that have occurred over the past 6 months (during this time, a complete renewal of the nail plate occurs). Delamination, brittleness, deformation, dyschromia and white spots on the nails indicate health problems.

Leukonychia is a pathology associated with the appearance of white spots / dots / stripes on the nail plates. The process of their formation is associated with keratinization of the nail.... They appear as microscopic air bubbles. Their sizes, shapes, numbers may vary.

There are several forms of leukonychia:

• limited;
• total;
• striped;
• point.

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to correctly establish the cause of the development of pathology. The symptomatology of this disease directly depends on the form. Let's consider each separately:

Limited. It is characterized by the appearance of small elongated spots. Most often, they occur on one or two nails that are located next to each other.

Point. This form is the most common. In most cases, it develops due to mechanical damage to the nail plates, as a result of which there was a violation of their integrity. The spots appear pointwise, some may be single or numerous. Sizes can range from small to large.

Striped. It is characterized by the appearance of elongated whitish spots, which are located in a horizontal or vertical position.

Total. This the form is the most neglected, as there is a complete coverage of the nail with white spots. There are cases of total coverage of all nail plates at the same time.

This type most often occurs in childhood or adolescence with vitamin deficiencies and hormonal disruptions. Also, this type of leukonychia can manifest itself as a result of an infectious process in the body or diseases of internal organs.

A narrow specialist should correctly determine the form and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Therefore, when white spots appear on the nail plates it is recommended to conduct a full examination of the body... A timely diagnosis and the appointment of the correct treatment will help not only get rid of the symptoms of the disease, but also cure the disease that provoked their manifestation.

Causes of white spots on the nail plate

There are several reasons for the appearance of the pathology in question, the first thing to do is to collect the patient's history.

External factors

Six main factors that can trigger the onset of leukonychia:

• nail injuries;
• prolonged contact with corrosive chemical compounds;
• poor quality manicure or pedicure;
• the use of aggressive means for removing varnish or applying it;
• the habit of biting nails;
• extension or gluing of artificial nails.

Also leukonychia can occur when wearing uncomfortable, squeezing toes, shoes.

Internal factors

The appearance of whitish spots can be triggered by such internal reasons:

• unbalanced diet;
• lack of vitamins;
• metabolic disorders;
• the presence of an anorexic state;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• severe stress, depression;
• fungal infections (onychomycosis);
• anemia;
• serious kidney pathologies;
• heart failure;
• diseases of infectious origin.

Under the influence of internal causes, as a result of disturbances in the activity of the body, leukonychia can manifest itself not only in the form of white stripes and dots, but also in complete damage to the nail plate. The development and progression of this disease can manifest itself both on the nails of the hands and on the lower extremities.

Fungal infection

The formation of white spots can be caused by fungi that affect the nail plate, which is called white superficial onychomycosis. The spots appear and then progress, growing on the nail bed (the tissue on which the nail plate itself is located). Such a lesion becomes very painful.

Other symptoms include:

• delamination of nails;
• thickening of toenails;
• the appearance of cracks on the nail plates.

Other causes can cause similar symptoms, so it's important to see a doctor right away. Treatment usually combines the use of ointments and oral medications.

At-risk groups

The high-risk group includes:

• children and adolescents;
• women during pregnancy and lactation;
• aged people;
• patients suffering from chronic diseases;
• HIV-infected persons.

According to statistics, men are more likely to be affected by the disease (oddly enough). The risk of its manifestation increases in the period from 20 to 25 years, as well as from 35 to 55 years.

Diagnostics

A dermatologist's consultation is required for the diagnosis.... If internal causes are identified, the patient can be referred to other specialists:

• surgeon;
• neuropathologist;
• gastroenterologist ;
• nephrologist;
• cardiologist.

After a visual conclusion about the condition of the nails, the dermatologist will prescribe the necessary tests and examinations:

• scraping from the nail plate for the presence of fungal infections;
• research on the lack of micronutrients;
• differentiation with May stripes and onychomycosis.

If necessary, the patient can be referred for an ultrasound examination and additional tests by a specialist of another profile.

Treatment

Therapy for leukonychia can be medication or traditional medicine. Treatment is tailored to each patient individually, but there are general guidelines:

• eat a balanced diet, give preference to foods that are rich in protein, trace elements and vitamins;
• use vitamin and mineral complexes;
• properly and regularly take care of nails and skin;
• avoid external factors that can provoke the development of pathology, as well as stressful situations.

Medication

Depending on the reasons that caused the appearance of leukonychia, the patient may be prescribed general, local or therapy of the underlying disease (if detected).

For local treatment, the following are prescribed:

• procedures with the use of professional cosmetics, which are designed to strengthen nails, as well as massages and baths for a similar purpose;
• medicines for external use to eliminate the fungus;
• the use of traditional medicines that can strengthen the nail plate at home.

If a disease is detected in one of the systems in the body (nervous, digestive, cardiovascular or excretory), treatment is prescribed, which involves the elimination of the main cause of the disease. In such a situation, only complex treatment can help., capable of eliminating symptoms and preventing the development of complications.

Folk remedies

To eliminate leukonychia, especially at the initial stage of manifestation, you can use traditional medicine, which are safe, but effective and cheap to use.

Baths with regular and sea salt

Mix a teaspoon of rock salt with a liter of water. Keep the brushes in the resulting solution for a third of an hour.

Pour warm water (1 l) into a bowl, mix with a teaspoon of sea salt. Then add 4 drops of any essential oil (you must first conduct a hypersensitivity test to the components of the added oil). Keep your hands in the resulting healing solution for a quarter of an hour, then blot with a towel and apply cream or oil application on them.

Trays based on chamomile and oak bark infusions

Pour boiling water (about 1 liter) into a container, then place 1 tbsp. l. chamomile and oak bark. Leave for 1 hour to infuse, after which the liquid should be filtered. Keep your hands in the healing infusion for 15 minutes. At the end of the procedure, lightly rub the limbs with a towel, lubricate with hand cream.

Oil bath for nails

Combine a couple of st. tablespoons of base oil with a few drops of essential oil (no more than three). Place your fingers in the resulting solution, hold for no more than a third of an hour, then put on cotton gloves on your hands.

Garlic treatments

Squeeze the juice out of the garlic using a garlic dish. Steam nails in a hot bath, rub the obtained medicinal juice into them. Such procedures must be done every day for two weeks.

Olive oil with lemon

Mix oil with lemon juice in equal proportions, heat, rub into the nail plate every other day. The course is 2 weeks.

Vitamins A and E

Pierce the capsule with a needle and rub the resulting mixture into your nails. Carry out the procedure every day.

Nail polish at home

Combine 50 ml of olive oil with a couple of Aevita capsules and three drops of iodine. Apply the resulting mixture to the nail plate daily. You can use a brush.

Beeswax

Warm a small piece of wax with your palms, then rub thoroughly into your nails. The procedure is daily.

Glycerol

Stir 5 g of glycerin and 1 g of petroleum jelly, blot the excess after 10 minutes with a napkin. At the heart of the treatment of leukonychia is the elimination or therapy of the cause that caused the symptom.

Prevention of leukonychia

1. Undergo annual medical examinations in order to identify the development of internal diseases in time.
2. Observe the rules of personal hygiene. This will help prevent the development of a fungal infection.
3. When visiting swimming pools, saunas of public use, use only personal belongings.
4. Make it a habit to use liquid antiseptics if there is no way to wash your hands.
5. Contact chemical compounds only when wearing protective gloves.

Do not forget about regular exercise. This will help keep your metabolism normal.

conclusions

Insofar as leukonychia is a symptom it is impossible to make a forecast for it. Not for every state it is possible to give a forecast that is "suitable" for the whole organism, since there is no single course. The task of the doctor, in cooperation with the patient, is to reveal the hidden underlying disease and eliminate, possibly, dangerous, which manifests itself in such a simple and "frivolous" way.

The condition of the nail plate is often an indicator of the general health of the body.

Changes in the appearance of your nails may indicate health problems.

That is why, when monitoring your health, it is important to identify any nail abnormalities as early as possible, including white fingernails, and promptly seek medical advice from qualified specialists.

What can cause whitening of the nail?

1. Nail injuries... White spots on the nails, which can appear as dots or lines, are called leukonychia by doctors. Very often they are caused by mechanical damage to the nail plate (for example, as a result of hitting the finger with a hammer). White spots tend to appear in the middle of the nail. Consider the fact that nails grow very slowly, so the injury that caused the white areas to appear on the nails could have occurred several weeks before they occurred. Regardless of the source of the injury, these spots usually do not require treatment and will disappear as the nail grows. And they shouldn't come back unless you damage your nail again.
2. Allergic reaction for a nail care product or acrylic nail extension.
3. Zinc deficiency... Lack of zinc in the human body is a common cause of white spots or streaks on the nails. Adding crab, beef, nuts, and other zinc-rich foods to your diet and taking the appropriate vitamins will solve this problem.
4. Protein deficiency... White fingernails may be due to low protein intake. The visible sign is horizontal white stripes running across the nail bed. After normalization of the protein level, these lines, as a rule, simply disappear.
5. Calcium deficiency... Leukonychia is often associated with a lack of calcium in the body. There are even nail polish products on the market that include the word "calcium" in their name. To treat calcium deficiency, it is enough to add orange juice or any other calcium-fortified food to your diet.
6. Onychomycosis of nails... This disease is characterized by opaque superficial white or almost white spots on the nail plates. If the entire nail is affected, it becomes brittle and deformed. Onychomycosis usually occurs in people who are physically intensive, have chronic emotional stress, or have metabolic disorders such as diabetes. It is important to see a doctor to diagnose the disease and exclude other conditions for the appearance of white nails.
7. Serious illnesses... If most of the nail plate is white and not because the nail has separated from the nail bed, it is probably due to decreased blood flow to the nail bed. This condition is known as Terry's nails. It was first described by British physician Richard Terry, who studied this anomaly in a study of patients with cirrhosis of the liver. With Terry's symptom, white fingernails are a sign of a serious malfunction in the body. This is why it is imperative to see your doctor if you notice any change in nail color. The earlier you visit a specialist, the more effective the treatment will be.

• Liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis are some of the most serious causes of white spots on the nails.
• Some of the nails may turn white due to heart or kidney failure.
• Anemia can lead to discoloration or whitening of the nails.
• Half white and half brown nails are common in people who have undergone chemotherapy.

Hand nail turns white: how to deal with it

To hide white spots, you can use pink nail polish or a yellow nail polish.

It is important to moisturize not only your fingers, but also your nails.

Massage your hands with vitamin E cream or lotion.

If you see that your fingernail is turning white, do not panic.

Patience and a balanced diet are paramount when dealing with this condition.

• Eat calcium-rich foods and drinks.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C.
• Your diet should be high in sulfur, zinc and iron.
• Dry your fingers and toenails after showering or bathing.
• Some people suffer from the bad habit of biting their nails several times a day. This should be avoided at all costs, otherwise damaged nails become easy prey for fungal infections. If you are unable to quit this habit, try using a colorless nail polish. Few people like to bite a nail, while feeling the unpleasant taste of varnish in their mouth.

If the fingernail turns white as a result of Terry's symptom, then, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the underlying disease.

Systemic disorders that are associated with Terry's nails include:

• diabetes;
• renal failure;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• pulmonary tuberculosis;
• hyperthyroidism;
• heart disease;
• Reiter's syndrome.

Its useful to note

In some cases, Terry's nails may just be an age-related phenomenon.

Vinegar can be used to treat onychomycosis. Acetic acid is effective against many fungal organisms. A simple and free of side effects, vinegar compress can be used in combination with other treatments.

• Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar is diluted halfway with water (or dark beer and powdered probiotic) and nails are kept in this solution for 20-30 minutes a day.
• This solution can be reused within three days.