Due to the constant activity of a person, his nails can undergo various diseases. Repeatedly in their entire lives, they gave rise to diverse causes for concern, changing colors, smoothness and shape. The most common indicator for anxiety is white spots on the fingernails . You can often hear that such a manifestation is a sign of malaise or a weakened immunity. But what do these spots really show? First of all, you need to know that absolutely healthy nails will never differ in a changed shape or color.
Description
White stains on the nails are considered a pathological condition that is formed due to nail keratinization when keratinization of the plate occurs with the appearance of small vesicles between its interlayers. In medicine, this damage is called leukonychia. It can be found in any person, regardless of gender and age.
The main factor in the appearance of white spots can be both endogenous and exogenous phenomena. There are people who do not consider such a disease to be a problem, but, on the contrary, are sure that light stains on the nails will bring happiness, good luck and good events. Modern medicine, on the other hand, has a completely different opinion, because the human body is a single system, and the formation of even insignificant violations can indicate possible and sometimes complex failures. And this is evidenced by white spots on the nails of the fingers. The photo is shown below.
Stages of leukonychia
There are some stages of such a disease.
- With an insignificant form of the disease, you can observe several almost invisible bright spots on 1-3 nails.
- A sign of point leukonichia is the appearance of a mass of small white dots or one large one.
- The streaky nature of the disease speaks for itself. The nail plate is dotted with a considerable number of varying degrees of density of light lines. Depending on their location (vertical or horizontal), doctors can determine the possible malaise of which organ they show.
- The general form of leukonichia is the most severe. In this situation, the nail plate is completely affected, and a specialist should be consulted urgently.
White spots on the nails of the fingers: the reason
Leukonychia in the form of large and small dot stains indicates a disorder in the process of keratinization of the nail strip. They get a light shade as a result of the formation of air layers in the tissues of the plate. The main sources of such spots:
- systematic use of household chemicals;
- damage during removal of the cuticle;
- hit of a nail or pinching of a finger;
- repeated gluing of false nails or their extension.
If the anomaly appears due to external causes, it will pass on its own in a couple of weeks. If not, then it is necessary to look for other factors due to which white spots form on the fingernails, namely:
- lack of vitamins, iron and zinc in the body;
- gastrointestinal problems;
- fungal infections;
- reduced hemoglobin;
- heart or kidney failure;
- anemia;
- metabolic disorders;
- colitis;
- all kinds of diets;
- anorexia;
- stress
- hepatitis;
- enteritis;
- cirrhosis of the liver.
White spots on the nails of children’s fingers
Quite often, this manifestation also occurs in babies. Most parents do not pay any attention to it, but in vain, since the causes of such points on the nails can be different diseases. For many children, this pathology goes away quickly, and for some, on the contrary, it lasts a long period of time. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the occurrence of light spots on the nails of a child can speak of completely different ailments. For example, the existence of hormonal dysfunction or worms. It happens that the problem arises due to:
- complications with the stomach, heart;
- high blood sugar;
- protein deficiency;
- carbohydrate metabolism disorders;
- weakness of the lungs;
- nervous disorders.
As you can see, the list of reasons is rather rather big. Therefore, if white spots were found on the nails of the fingers of the fingers of a baby, it is imperative to consult a specialist. You will need to conduct a general examination and review the diet of the child.
Diagnosis
If there are only changes on the plates, but there is no external factor, then it is entirely possible that some kind of internal cause is the culprit of the symptom. Usually, a dermatologist determines the disease. If there is a need, then you can visit an endocrinologist, cardiologist and neuropathologist.
How to avoid leukonychia
From the foregoing, it is now clear that a disease that destroys nails, for the most part, is considered a sign of internal disorders in the human body. And in order not to encounter such a problem and, even worse, not to launch an existing ailment, you can prevent such unpleasant phenomena as white spots on the nails of your fingers.
- Start eating right. If possible, you need to maximize your diet. The menu must necessarily contain fruits, vegetables, poultry, dairy products, fish and meat. In particular, you need to pay attention to products that increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood, such as apples, pomegranates, dried apricots, liver and buckwheat. Such foods can prevent anemia.
- You should forget about convenience foods, canned goods and sweets. In the spring and winter, in order to replenish the energy reserves of the body, you can take multivitamins. Today, pharmacies present a wide selection of various supplements.
- You can also begin to use fortified healing varnishes so that white spots on the fingernails disappear, the reason for which may be the use of ordinary varnishes or household chemicals.
- If, nevertheless, these bright stains on the nail plates are found, it is recommended to visit a competent doctor as soon as possible so as not to start an emerging disease. He will already accurately determine the condition of the disturbing organ.
How to get rid
If the nails were affected by chemicals, it is recommended that you keep your fingers in slightly warm water for 15-20 minutes with the addition of iodine and sea salt. Such an event can “pull out” harmful substances that poison the nail plate. In direct contact with household cleaning products, household gloves should be used .
Excellent results can be achieved as a result of a course of treatment with oils, if there is a white spot on the thumbnail, for example. Experts advise rubbing a mixture of lemon juice and warm olive oil into the nail plate (mix 100 ml of oil with 5 drops of juice). The following solution also nourishes the nails: 60 ml of almond oil (you can olive), 3 drops of iodine, as well as 5 drops of vitamin A. Rub this “potion” before bedtime.
If light stains on the nails are the result of damage or improper use of the manicure tool, special treatment is not required. You just need to apply procedures that improve the condition of the nails. For example, you can make a soothing bath for your hands: 1 tbsp. l chamomile flowers should pour 200 g of beer heated to 70-80 degrees. Then insist the mixture for a couple of 15 minutes, filter through a strainer, cool to the optimum temperature. And then you can lower your fingers into the solution for about 20–25 minutes. At the end of the procedure, it will be useful to lubricate the nail plates with fish oil.
Alternative methods of treatment
If there are white spots on the fingernails, how to treat them? You can also in other ways:
- you need to mix in equal parts a decoction of oak bark, chamomile and water, hold your fingers in this warm bath and after the event lubricate them with apricot or olive oil;
- dissolve in a glass of warm liquid 1 tbsp. l sea salt, add 1 tsp. lemon juice and lower the nails there for 20 minutes, then rinse with salt water and grease them with nutritious cream or oils;
- you can chop 5-7 cloves of garlic, steam your fingers, spread the base of the nails with this slurry, keep this mixture on the nail plates for about 30 minutes, so that the white spots on the nails of the middle finger (for example) completely disappear;
- It is also recommended to brew in 1 cup with boiling water 2 tbsp. l green tea, then dip all fingers in a warm liquid in turn - from the little finger to the big one (the duration of such a procedure is 5-7 minutes);
- there is nothing more useful than fish oil, which can cure leukonichia: you should rub it into the tips of all fingers and rinse with warm water after 5 minutes;
- restorative massage also gives its results: you need to lubricate the fingertips with any oil (vegetable) and gently massage the nail plate for 2-3 minutes.
If all of the above methods did not help to remove white spots on the nails of your fingers, then you should make an appointment with a specialist.
General tips
There are various recommendations that can help avoid leukonychia.
- You need to protect your nervous system - no depression and stress!
- Drink vitamins after consulting with your doctor.
- It is required to protect hands from damage and be more careful with manicure.
- Pay more attention to diet and sleep.
- Use household chemicals using gloves.
- If there is a fungus, be sure to listen to the advice of a specialist. The therapy is long - up to 6 months, and it is impossible to interrupt it in any way.
From this article, everyone has now learned what white spots on the fingernails are. Treatment for a disease such as leukonichia exists, and it is not very complicated.