White spots on nails – it happens to the best of us but aren’t anything to worry about. If you want to get rid of these spots, there are some remedies which can save your nails.
Also, if you want to figure out why do these spots keep on coming back over and over again, this is the right article for you.
What Are White Spots On Nails?
If you have several different shaped white spots on your nails, don’t panic, you will be fine.
This state is called Leukonychia, and is very common and quite often in women. Almost everyone will have these spots at least once in their lifetime, and it shouldn’t be something that worries you.
The spots may vary in appearance. You can have tiny pin point dots, larger lines that run vertical or horizontal over the nail, or individual small and large dots across your nails. These little white spots may be speckled across the entire nail, or they can be stretched out across several nails.
These shapes could be the result of an injury and often give clues as to how the initial injury has happened. For instance, if you have a larger dot only in the middle of your nail, and only on one nail, that is probably a nail injury as a result of a blunt-force trauma of some sort such as closing your finger in a door or misusing a household tool.
The spots could also be an allergic reaction. In this case they will happen all over in many different sizes and shapes.
Why Do These Happen?
In most cases, this white flake will happen if you’ve injured your nail bed.
This is highly likely if you are a regular at manicures or pedicures, as well as if you often get acrylic nails. You can easily injure your nail by hitting it with a hammer, slamming it in a door, or when working with some kitchen items & supplies.
However, in some other cases, this can be an indicator of:
- Allergic reactions – you could be allergic to certain nail polishes or even your acrylics.
- Lack of minerals – Lack of zinc or calcium is linked to white nail spots.
- Fungal infection – if your infection spreads out onto the entire surface, your nail itches, or you have an ingrown nail.
How To Get Rid Of White Spots On Your Nails
1. Hydration Is Important
Moisturize your nails – a lot. Use nail and hand creams which are filled with vitamin E to restore lost moisture. Certain nail creams are specifically designed for reducing white dots.
Additionally you could try essential oils such as tea tree and orange oil to speed up the process of healing. Use 2 drops of the essential oils along with olive oil and leave it on for 20 minutes.
2. DIY Soak
Make a soak for your nails in white vinegar and lukewarm water. Soak your nails for 10 minutes and rinse out the excess amount of water. Repeat the soak 3 times a week.
3. Eat Right
Healthy lifestyle that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables is always a great idea.
For nail concerns, anything with high amounts of vitamin C is an amazing choice. Try to eat a lot of greens such as cabbage, kale, or broccoli, and try adding some multivitamins to your diet. Also, drinking 1-2 liters of water on a daily basis couldn’t hurt.
4. Protect Your Nails
Rubber gloves are a great idea for ultimate nail protection! Using them will keep your skin away from any harsh chemicals and poisons.
They are super inexpensive, yet they will protect your nails, nail beds and cuticles while keeping your hands dry and moisturized.
5. Visit Your Doctor If Necessary
Visit your doctor if the spots don’t go away on their own in a few weeks, or if they start to bother you.
If the doctor determines that something is out of the ordinary, be sure to follow the directions for any prescriptions they may provide. It could be an anti-fungal medication or supplements such as Biotin etc.
How To Prevent Getting White Spots On Nails
In case it was an allergic reaction: try to stay away from nail polishes for a while. Let your nails rest along with your cuticles and give them 2-3 week time out.
In case you had a fungal infection you should use some topical anti-fungal
treatments.
If you’ve injured your nail on your own, know that time is the best solution for your recovery. Make sure you are less clumsy the next time you use any tools around your house, and keep your gloves on to prevent further damage.
