How to Get Rid of White Spots on Your Nails

Medically speaking, those little white marks that sometimes appear as dots or lines on the fingernail are known as leukonychia. While the consensus still seems a bit out, most sources agree that it's probably due to nail injury. So be nicer to your hands and read on!

EditSteps

EditPreventing Injury

Be careful with your nails. About six weeks after an injury to your nailbed, a white spot can show up.^[1] That means you have a month and a half to forget about that one can of soda that was particularly hard to open. It doesn't take much -- if you have softer nails, even the tiniest of incidents can lead to a white spot.
- So avoid biting your nails, using them to cut things open, and in general putting any weight on them. They're not claws, you know! They're not built to withstand a lot of pressure. Just like you'd get a bruise on your skin, you'll get a white spot on your nail.

Tell your manicurist to be gentle. Most of us have had an experience or two with a manicurist that acted as if our nails killed her childhood dog. Even if your manicurist isn't taking her anger at her ex-husband out on your hands, exercise caution. All that buffing and filing can damage the nail, too.
- If your manicurist says the manicure has nothing to do with your white spots (which she very well may say), hand her this article and its list of sources. Loads of people say it's from nutritional deficiencies and she may be of the same school of thought. While that's possible maaaybe and on a good day, it's much, much more likely that it's due to injury.

Switch nail polish and other nail products. Your nails can actually negatively react to certain polishes and the products you use on them.They won't put up much of a fight; they'll just get spotty. To cover all your bases -- and if you consistently use the same stuff -- consider changing. Maybe your nails are just trying to let you know they're not diggin' on your lotion.

EditUsing Alternative Methods

Eat a healthy diet. If you'd like to make sure your nails are spic and span (and your teeth and your skin and everything else about you), eat healthy. Heck, if you feel like living not being a chore, eat healthy. There's no harm in it -- and it definitely will strengthen your nails (though not necessarily rid you of the spots) -- so why not?
- Get plenty of whole grains, fruits, veggies, lean meats, and low fat dairy. The more colorful your diet, the better. Stay away from processed goods and always go fresh if you can.
- Some say it's not enough zinc. Some say it's not enough protein. Some say it's not enough calcium. Regardless, all three of these things are good and should be a part of your diet, even if it's unrelated to spots.

Keep your hands as clean as possible. The other theory out there is that it's due to infection. No one seems to want to pinpoint exactly what that infection actually is, so the only real way to fight it is to keep your hands clean. So wash them at every wise opportunity and carry around sanitizer if you're feeling ambitious.

Let them grow out. In case it wasn't already clear, this whole white spot thing isn't that big of a deal. They're mostly in young women and they're pretty common (in fact, most people have them at least once^[2])^[3] While they're not exactly becoming, they're by no means head-turning. So let them grow out, stop banging your hands around, and call it a day. No need to lose sleep!

Paint your nails! Definitely one way to "get rid" of them. And by the time your nail polish wears off, they might be gone. It's almost as if the nail polish works miracles (it doesn't)! What a good excuse to try that new color you've been eying.
- Use a protein strengthener for good measure. One of those nice clear coats. The stronger your nails are, the less likely they are to get wounded by you messing with them.

EditTips

Try not to bite your nails.

Eat a balanced diet, and try to keep your nails from dirt and situations that could lead to damage, which can lead directly to white spots. Avoid activities such as washing dishes, gardening, lifting heavy items, closing stubborn slider doors, etc. Whenever you think your nails are in danger, avoid the situation!

The white half moons near your cuticles are perfectly normal. If you don't like these, then paint your nails.

Be very patient with the "growing out" thing. Just remember that they'll grow out. If you aren't the "patient type" of person and you are uncomfortable about those white spots, polish your nails. You'll feel better.

You can also use a neutral colored polish to cover white spots, if you so desire.

EditWarnings

White spots on your nails are not a sign of kidney and liver disease, although this is very common misconception.

If you're really concerned, talk to your doctor. If your entire nail is turning white, that's an issue. However, by the time your entire nail turns white, you're going to notice other problems (like liver, kidney or heart failure).^[4] But a pro's opinion never hurts, you know?

White spots and entire white nails are a totally different issue. The spots don't grow; they cannot take up the entire nail in time, resulting in your failing kidney. If that were the case, they'd gradually be changing in overall shade. Rest assured, your white spots are nothing to worry about.