Leuconychia. This word sounds like a disease, but it really isn’t. It indicates a common anomaly of the nail: the presence of white spots on its surface. There is rarely anything to worry about. Unless these spots are lingering, spreading and / or turning yellowish, they do not need to be seen.

Leukonychia is manifested by the appearance of one or more white spots on the surface of the nail. More or less large, and more or less opaque, these spots can appear in different forms: small dots, wide transverse bands or longitudinal streaks (going from the base of the nail to its end). In some cases, the discoloration may even be complete. It all depends on the cause of the phenomenon.

Contrary to popular belief, calcium deficiency has nothing to do with the appearance of these spots. In most cases, these result from a small physical or chemical trauma to the nail: shock or exposure to an aggressive product.

Normally, most of the nail surface is pink: made up mainly of keratin, it is transparent and reveals the color of the underlying blood vessels. At its base, a matrix continuously produces keratin, allowing it to grow steadily. If an event disrupts the process, by slowing or accelerating the production of keratin, it is badly distributed in the nail and, in places, the light no longer passes. White spots appear.

This modification may or may not be spontaneous. As the nail takes a long time to grow, leukonychia can appear several weeks after you hit or file your nail. If you can’t remember when this might have happened, don’t worry. The spots end up being pushed naturally towards the end of the nail: it will then be enough to cut the latter to make them disappear.

Leukonychia can indeed be caused by:

• physical trauma : like a shock, a sudden and frequent filing;
• chemical trauma : manicure treatments, such as varnishes, solvents or false nails, certain detergents or cured products (in butchers and pork butchers, for example) can alter the structure of the nail, especially if the contact is repeated . In these cases, all fingers are involved. This type of reactive leukonychia can be accompanied by a slight paronychia, that is to say an irritation of the fold of skin surrounding the nail;
• nutritional deficiency, not in calcium but in zinc or vitamin PP (also called vitamin B3). These elements are essential for the good synthesis of keratin. Without them, production slows down. As the entire matrix is ​​affected simultaneously, transverse leukonychia may appear, with bands running across the width of the nails. We then speak of Mees lines;
• arsenic poisoning, sulfonamides, thallium or selenium: when this occurs, leukonychia is usually accompanied by more alert symptoms such as headaches, digestive signs, rashes, fatigue;
• skin disease : erythema multiforme, alopecia areata, vitiligo or psoriasis may be involved. To the chromatic modification can then be added a change in relief or appearance. Usually the problem is not just the nail, it may have already led you to see a dermatologist;
• organic pathology severe, which has normally already been diagnosed : Cirrhosis, kidney failure, myocardial infarction, gout, thyroid disease, infection or cancer can cause nail discoloration, not by attacking the keratin but by interfering with it. the blood microcirculation at the fingertips. The nails remain transparent but less pink. Warning: don’t panic if you are healthy and notice white spots on your nails. This anomaly will not be the first symptom to appear if you have a serious illness. Most often, it appears well after diagnosis;
• medical treatment: leukonychia may appear, for example, during certain chemotherapies;
• A yeast infection, that is to say an infection by a fungus, can also be the cause of a white spot on the nail (of a toe most often). But it is not strictly speaking a leukonychia, that is to say a superficial opacification of the nail. The stain does not go away on its own. It will even tend to spread, tarnish and turn yellow, as the nail will eventually thicken. If in doubt, it is better to consult. Only an antifungal treatment can get rid of it.

Apart from yeast infection, for which the doctor may prescribe antifungal treatment, there is not much to deal with leukonychia. The spots are “indelible”, but gradually advance towards the end of the nail. So you just have to be patient: you can get rid of it in a few weeks with a nail clipper. In the meantime, if you find them too unsightly, you can apply over a colored nail polish, remembering to use a protective base beforehand.

If leukonychia is just a symptom of a more serious condition, doctors will treat it first.

To limit the risk of recurrence, avoid biting your nails or filing them too often and too abruptly. To avoid microtrauma, physical or chemical, consider wearing household gloves when doing the dishes or housework. You should also remember to take a break between two nail polish applications, and to be careful with certain manicure products: semi-permanent varnishes, acetone-based solvents, glue for false nails, etc.