Are white spots on your toenails causing you to worry? Maybe you’re concerned you’ll be embarrassed when wearing sandals this summer or that those spots may mean you have a strange medical condition. Either way, I created this video to put your mind at ease by explaining the 5 most common causes of white spots on toenails.
5 Causes of White Spots on Toenails
While certain medical conditions cause white spots, they’re also caused by stress on the nails. First, let’s talk about possible medical conditions.
Fungal Toenails
One of the most common conditions I see in the office is fungal toenails also known as onychomycosis. I alluded to this in my introduction as a common cause of white spots on toenails.
Initially, you may notice small white patches on the surface of your nail. As the fungus spreads, the nails can dry out, become brittle, painful, thick, distorted, or even flake off.
A fungal infection can also spread to other members of your household. The good news is that our office has developed a highly effective treatment plan with laser that has a 80-90% success rate. If we aren’t sure if it’s fungus, we’ll send a nail sample to a lab. It’s very important to get it treated early to improve the success rate and prevent the nail from becoming thick and distorted.
Learn more about how fungal nails are treated.
Psoriasis and Eczema
Other medical conditions that can be confused with toenail fungus are psoriasis and eczema. That’s because the white spots formed by these conditions can mimic the appearance of toenail fungus. However, it's crucial to get the correct diagnosis, as fungal treatments won't be effective against psoriasis or eczema.
Learn more about psoriasis and eczema by clicking on the links in this sentence.
Dehydration of the Toenails
Dehydration of the toenails is the most common cause of stress-induced white spots on the toenails. How do you know your nails are too dry? First, look at your nail routine. Regular use of nail polish and acetone-based nail polish remover can lead to brittle and dry nails. Acetone, the most common ingredient in nail polish remover, creates white spots through a process called keratin granulation. The acetone strips away proteins that keep your nails healthy, hydrated, and strong.
Because weakened nails are more susceptible to fungal infections, we recommend using non-acetone-based nail polish remover and non-toxic nail polish to maintain nail health.
Physical Trauma to the Toenail
Physical trauma to the nail can also cause white spots. While most runners and other athletes know about Runner’s toe or blackened toenails, sports activity can also lead to white spots or lines. And even though some athletes may not care about the appearance of their toenails, physical trauma to the toenails can also lead to toenail fungus, which can have greater health consequences. That’s why runners and other athletes need to be sure their shoes fit properly to avoid this type of trauma. Be sure to get your feet measured the next time you buy a new pair of shoes. Even as adults our feet can get longer due to falling arches. Here's how to buy the best running shoes for your feet!
I also wrote an eBook, "How to Avoid Black and Damaged Toenails" which you can download here!
Chemotherapy
Finally, chemotherapy treatments can cause white bands to appear on toenails. During our exam I’ll ask about current medications to rule this out as a possibility.
In conclusion, while white spots might seem harmless, it's important to have them properly evaluated. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent more serious complications and help you maintain healthy nails and feet.
