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Leukonychia - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment of Leukonychia

What is Leukonychia ?

Leukonychia is a medical term for white spots appearing on nails . Leukonychia can occur with arsenic poisoning, heart disease, renal failure, pneumonia, or hypoalbuminemia.

Common Causes of Leukonychia

• Chronic exposure to moisture or to nail polish can produce brittle nails with peeling of the edge of the nail.
• A crush injury to base of the nail or the nail bed may produce a permanent deformity.
• The most common cause is injury to the base (matrix) of the nail .
• Deficiency of copper and zinc in dody.
• Fungus or yeast produce changes in the color, texture, and shape of the nails.
• Vitamin deficiency can cause a loss of luster or brittle nails

Symptoms of Leukonychia

Some of the common symptoms of Leukonychia are :-

• White nails.
• Abnormal colored nails.
• Skin cysts.

Treatment for Leukonychia

• Food like wheat bran , whole grains , nuts and green leafy vegetables should be consumed in daily life for the deficiency of zinc, which attributed to appearance of white spots.
• For nail abnormalities due to nail biting, picking, and tearing, stop these behaviors.
• For brittle nails, keep the nails short and avoid nail polish. Use an emollient (skin softening) cream after washing or bathing.