Most people wind up with white spots on their nails at one point or another. In many cases these nails apply in one or two spots on the nails and gradually disappear as the nail grows out. In most cases these spots are not serious and do not necessarily require treatment, but if you notice that you are getting spots on your nails frequently then you may need to track down the source to ensure that they are not a sign of something more serious that requires treatment.

Causes of White Spots on Nails

When you are experiencing white spots, you should take into account many causes which are listed below for you.

• Injury. In most cases, a white spot on the nails is the sign of a minor injury to the area. Bending the nail, banging it while moving or clipping the nail incorrectly can cause the nail to develop a white spot. Sometimes these spots will show up some time after the injury has occurred which makes it difficult to track what caused them to appear.
• Infection. White spots can also be a sign that your nail is suffering from an infection such as a fungus, yeast or mold. These types of spots often develop near the cuticle or at the tip of the nail rather than in the middle. As these spots grow out it can cause the nail to flake or split as well.
• Allergic reaction. Similarly, white spots can be a sign that your nail is suffering from an allergic reaction to a product. If you have recently tried a new nail polish, polish remover or nail hardener and you notice that you are starting to develop an allergy to the product.
• Vitamin deficiency. You may also be suffering from a vitamin deficiency that can cause white spots to develop on the nails. Women who are suffering from a calcium deficiency tend to develop these kinds of white spots. A deficiency in zinc can also cause spot on the nails. These symptoms are usually coupled with other symptoms such as dry, brittle hair that falls out.
• Serious condition. In extreme cases, white spots on the nails can be the sign of a serious condition. Some infectious diseases such as malaria or herpes can cause white spots to appear on the nails. Exposure to a bacterial infection can also cause spots to appear on the nails, as can exposure to arsenic. Make note of any other conditions that appear along with the spots on your nails to help determine if you need to get medical attention.

Treatments for White Spots on Nails

If the white spots on your nails are infrequent and are not paired with any other symptoms then treatment may not be necessary. The spots will disappear as the nail grows out, and then you can simply clip off the part of the nail that is damaged.

• Change of diet. When the spots are caused by a vitamin deficiency a change in the diet is necessary. Increasing your intake of calcium and vitamin C can help you decrease your chances of developing spots on the nails. You can also take a zinc supplement to help increase the health of your nails.
• See a doctor. When spots on the nails are coupled with other signs of stress such as an infection, disease or exposure to bacteria then you may need to seek medical attention. Your doctor can prescribe medication that will help alleviate your symptoms which will then cause the white spots on your nails to stop appearing. However, this will not remove the spots which are already present. Youwill need to wait for these to grow out.