Leukonychia
Description
Leukonychia
The word Leukonychia derives from the latin words “leuk” meaning white and “onyx” meaning nail. It is a condition which can be identified by a characteristic whiteness on the nail. Sometimes white spots appear on part of the nail in flecks or spots; this is known as Leukonychia partialis. On other occasions, lines appear on the nails, this is Leukonychia striata. In more rare cases, the whole nail turns white, otherwise referred to as, Leukonychia totalis.
Causes
The most common cause of Leukonychia is injury or trauma to the base of the nail (matrix), for example, from a bang or knocks. Often it can be caused by common bad habits, such as, picking and biting the nails or frequent application of false nails. After a trauma, new cells which grow at the root of the nail are white in appearance and as they grow out, they harden & flatten, seeming almost translucent. On some occasions, white spots may not appear until the nail grows out and you have completely forgotten about the trauma. These spots fade away as the nail grows. Leukonychia has also been associated with zinc deficiency and other less common causes of Leukonychia include; certain medications, arsenic poisoning, heart, liver or kidney disease. If you feel you may have a serious underlying medical condition, you should contact a physician.
Symptoms
With Leukonychia partialis you may see small white flecks or bubbles at the base of the nail. There may be pain at the time of trauma but otherwise it is generally painless. If you have Leukonychia striata, you will see a whitening or discoloration of the nail in bands or “stria” that run parallel to the nail base. In more serious cases of Leukonychia totalis the whole nail bed will turn white.
Prevention
As most cases of Leukonchia are caused by trauma avoid picking and biting the nails. Be especially careful when pushing back the cuticle. Avoid any other bad habits which may cause damage to the nail. However, if the whiteness is persistent and you feel that you may have an underlying vitamin deficiency, you should try taking zinc supplements or increase the quantity of grains, vegetables and nuts in your diet.
Treatment
For Leukonychia caused by trauma, the best course of action is to wait until the discolouration grows out. If the appearance of the white spots is an issue for you, you may want to apply a nail polish to camouflage them. It is also best to keep affected nails out of harms way when using chemicals of any kind, as they can further damage the nail. If you are concerned in any way, seek medical advice.