CAUSE OF WHITE SPOTS ON THE NAILS AND HOW TO GET RID OF IT
Why do white spots appear on nails? What does this mean? How to treat it?
INNA CODRU , JULY 23, 2018
Many things can ruin a first impression. For example, bitten and untidy nails. But even if everything is in order with neatness, then the white spots that appear out of nowhere on the fingernails reduce your self-confidence to nothing. Although these white spots on the nails can usually be a sign of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, these spots can also be the result of a fungal infection. Would you like to know if there are any natural remedies for this problem? Read on and we'll tell you everything.
LEUKONYCHIA, OR WHITE SPOT ON THE NAIL
White spots appearing on the fingernails or toenails are a sign of a condition commonly called leukonychia. Such spots usually appear on the nail plates of the fingers or toes. They are not painful, but can disturb a person in an aesthetic sense.
Some people have white spots that appear as small dots all over the nail area, while others can have large spots that cover almost the entire surface of the nail.
White spots on the nail beds of fingers or toes is a common occurrence and is often the result of any of the following factors, which we will look at.
WHY DID WHITE SPOT APPEAR ON THE NAILS?
The unexpected appearance of white spots on the nails is due to:
- Allergic reaction to any product you use for your nails
- Fungal infections (eg, white superficial onychomycosis)
- As a result of physical injury to the nail
- Lack of certain minerals, namely zinc and calcium
These white patches vary in appearance and can appear in a variety of forms. The most common of them are listed below.
MANIFESTATION OF LEUKONICHIA
White spots have several types:
- Tiny, "scattered" points on the nail
- Large lines across the entire surface of the nail
- Large, isolated spots
Depending on the causes of the appearance, these white spots may differ in their appearance:
- A bruised nail can also result in large white spots in the center of the nail plate.
- Allergies often cause small dots all over the nail.
If the white spots that have appeared begin to bother you, and you want to immediately start getting rid of them, then you have come to the right page. Here are some great home remedies to help get those white spots off your fingernails.
HOW TO REMOVE WHITE SPOTS FROM NAILS AT HOME
1. ESSENTIAL OIL
A. Tea tree oil
You will need:
- 6 drops tea tree oil
- 15 ml olive oil
What should be done:
- Mix six drops of tea tree oil with 15 ml of olive oil.
- Apply this mixture on your nails and massage well.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then wash off the residue with warm water.
How often?
You should do this 1 or 2 times a day for one week.
Why should this help?
Tea tree oil has a strong antimicrobial property that helps eliminate white spots from your nails. This remedy will be especially needed if the white spots are the result of a fungal infection.
b. lavender oil
You will need:
- 6 drops of lavender oil
- 15 ml olive or coconut oil
What should be done:
- Add 6 drops of lavender oil to 15 ml of carrier oil (olive or coconut oil).
- Apply the mixture on your nails and massage well.
- Leave the mixture on for 15 minutes before washing it off with water.
How often?
Do this, preferably twice a day, until you notice improvement.
Why should this help?
Lavender oil has wonderful anti-fungal properties that help in treating stubborn white spots caused by fungus infection. The anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic properties of this oil can speed up healing and reduce pain if white spots appear as a result of any injury.
2. VITAMINS AND MINERALS
A lack of vitamin C, as well as calcium or zinc, can lead to white spots on your fingernails or toenails. So you need to replenish the required amount of these nutrients by adding the necessary foods to your diet.
This includes citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, seafood, nuts, chicken, milk, yogurt and sardines. The listed products will be an excellent source of nutrients necessary for nails.
3. LEMON JUICE
You will need:
- 1-2 tsp lemon juice
- A few drops of olive oil
What should be done:
- Mix lemon juice with a few drops of olive oil.
- Apply this mixture on your nails.
- Wash it off after 20-30 minutes.
How often?
You must do this once a day.
Why should this help?
Lemon juice is a great remedy to help you get rid of those white spots on your nails. It is rich in vitamin C, which gives you those healthy nails you want, without stains and other discolorations of the nail plate.
4. COCONUT OIL
You will need:
- A few drops of organic coconut oil
What should be done:
- Take a few drops of coconut oil and rub it into your nails in smooth motions.
- Leave it on all night.
How often?
Do this daily for best results.
Why should this help?
Coconut oil has many benefits, especially when we start talking about treating white spots on your nails. This oil has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that will help treat both fungal infections and injuries that may have caused white spots.
5. FOOD SODA
You will need:
- Half a glass of baking soda
- 50 ml regular 9% apple cider vinegar
- 50ml warm water
What should be done:
- Take half a glass of baking soda and mix with 50 ml of apple cider vinegar.
- Add warm water and mix well.
- Pour the mixture into a large bowl and place your fingers in it for 15 to 20 minutes.
How often?
You need to do this once a day for a week.
Why should this help?
Baking soda has disinfectant properties that can help treat the infection responsible for white spots on fingernails or toenails. Its alkaline environment will aid in removing the stains themselves, and also help prevent new white spots from forming.
6. YOGHURT
You will need:
- 1 small bowl of classic yogurt
What should be done:
- Place your fingers in a bowl of yogurt for 15-20 minutes.
- Then wash your hands with warm water.
How often?
Do this once a day for 10 days.
Why should this help?
Yogurt exhibits antifungal effects due to the naturally occurring microbes present in it. This is an excellent remedy for treating white spots caused by a fungal infection.
6. GARLIC
You will need:
- Minced garlic, few cloves
What should be done:
- Grind a few cloves of garlic and apply it on the surface of the nails.
- Cover your fingers with a clean cloth and let the garlic work on them.
- Once the paste dries, remove the cloth and rinse with warm water.
How often?
It is necessary to carry out such a procedure once a day for a week.
Why should this help?
Garlic has very strong anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. This remedy can also work well against white spots that have arisen both as a result of injury to the nail and as the consequences of fungal infections.
6. ORANGE OIL
You will need:
- 6 drops of orange essential oil
- 15ml any carrier oil (olive or coconut oil)
What should be done:
- Add six drops of orange oil to 15 ml of any carrier oil.
- Apply this mixture on your nails and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse everything off with clean water.
How often?
Use this once a week until a positive result is achieved.
Why should this help?
Orange oil helps in the treatment of any (!) fungal infections on the nails. This is due to its strong anti-fungal properties, which also helps to achieve a positive result in the fight against white spots on the nails.
Keep using your chosen remedies until you get the results you want. Here are some tips to prevent these white spots from appearing.
PREVENTION TIPS
While you can continue to use all of the remedies we talked about above until you get the results you want, it's also a good idea to follow some additional tips to prevent white spots on your nails from reappearing. These tips include:
- Avoid direct contact with questionable nail products (they may cause irritation).
- Avoid excessive use of nail polish.
- Keep your nails clean and well groomed.
- Moisten your hands after washing dishes or after any other prolonged exposure to detergents.
White spots can be easily avoided by taking good care of your hands and nails. Don't let them ruin the look of your hands! Try the suggested remedies and say goodbye to white spots on your nails forever.
ANSWERS OF EXPERTS TO READERS' QUESTIONS
Which nutrient deficiency causes white spots on the nails?
Lack of vitamins such as vitamin C and minerals such as zinc and calcium. It is their lack that can lead to deterioration in the condition of your nails and can cause white spots or lines to appear on your nails.
White semicircles on the base of the nail, what is it?
The white semicircles at the base of your nails are called lunules. The lunula is an integral part of a healthy nail and is an indicator of proper nail growth.
How long does it take for white spots on nails to disappear?
White dots on nails, especially those caused by a fungal infection, may take several months to heal before disappearing as your nails need to completely renew themselves.