Many people notice white spots on their nails and wonder if they signal a health problem. In an interview, general practitioner Alexander Novikov addressed this common concern.
According to the expert, white spots on nails, medically known as leukonychia, almost never indicate serious health issues. The most frequent cause is microtrauma to the nail root, which often goes unnoticed.
“You might have lightly pinched your finger, had an unsuccessful manicure, or worked with tools without realizing it. A couple of weeks later, as the nail grows, a white spot appears,” the doctor explained.
Novikov also debunked the popular myth linking white spots to calcium deficiency. “True calcium or zinc deficiency makes nails brittle, dull, and changes their shape—spotty inclusions have nothing to do with it,” he emphasized.
Other possible but less common causes include allergic reactions to nail polishes, removers, or cuticle products. Rarely, white spots can indicate an early stage of a fungal infection. However, in such cases, the nail typically not only changes color but also thickens, crumbles, or turns yellow.
Novikov advised seeing a doctor if white spots appear regularly without visible injury, emerge in large numbers simultaneously, or if the nail becomes deformed or takes on a yellow or dark hue. This can help rule out dermatological or systemic diseases.
“In all other cases, there’s no need to worry—they will disappear on their own as the nail grows,” the therapist concluded.
