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White spots on the fingernails
contents
- What are our nails?
- White spots
- calcium deficiency?
- A symptom of disease?
- nail fungus
- diagnosis
- therapy
- iron deficiency
What are our nails?
The horny plates of the nails are above the nail cuticle and underneath is the nail matrix, of which we recognize a small part as a white crescent at the bottom of the nails. Keratinocytes, skin cells, die in the nail bed and harden. Our nails consist of over a hundred layers of such keratin scales and form the nail plate.
Nails form on the nail root - and only primates, ie humans, apes, monkeys and half-monkeys they exhibit. This nail root lies on the nail bag. An epithelium lies dorsally on the nail plate, it is called Eponychium; we call another epithelium Hyponychium. Underneath lies the nail bed, a connective tissue. The hyponychium passes into the nail matrix, the pedestal of the nail plate.
Nails are a protection for the sensitive finger berries, the human equivalent to the tactile ball of the animals. The nails are so tightly connected to the nail bed that we can scratch, scratch or pluck with them.
The nail plate itself is deaf because it orders from dead cells, but surrounded by highly sensitive cells that provide the brain with tactile information in high density. For example, without nails we could not determine how hard an object is. Fingernails are therefore a very complex system.
White spots
We polish our nails, we cut them, we paint them, and some spend a lot of money in a nail salon. Sooner or later we discover small white spots. Erwin Schultz from the Department of Dermatology in Nuremberg has a simple explanation for this: According to him, these spots caused by injuries of the nail matrix, for example, when we push back the cuticle. Bumps and stitches on the base of the nail can easily damage the nail root. The horny layers then no longer grow together, air is trapped, which changes the light, and thus the nail looks white.
Fever and immune deficiency damage the nail matrix as well. The white spots then go back to the fading of the fever. Calcium, magnesium and iron deficiency are common suspects for nails problems. Is that correct?
calcium deficiency?
Nails are made of calcium, but only 0.03 percent, and that sits in the surface. The most important substance, on the other hand, is keratin, a protein that the body produces itself, but whose material it absorbs with food. Also, B vitamins such as biotin are necessary for the nails to grow healthily. It is recommended to eat tomatoes, brown rice or nuts.
However, white spots do not develop because of calcium deficiency, and the widespread swallowing of (expensive) calcium supplements does not affect the growth of the nails. Subjectively, women who took a year of calcium tablets or a sham preparation in a study at the University of Auckland found their nails smoother. The calcium tablets did not have a real effect.
White spots and brittle nails arise in the developed capital states above all by too frequent hand washing, cleaning agents or nail polish remover; also by too intensive nail care. Anyone who hits the nail bed with the file, brushes their nails, or slips off with the nail scissors, easily injures the nail matrix and thus causes the white spots.
Nail polish, nail glue or artificial nails sometimes cause allergies, which can be seen in spots on the nails. Excessive use of nail polish removers causes the nails to dry, splinter and discolour.
Irony of the story: White spots on the nails are usually those that pay special attention to the manicure.
Cleaning gloves and finger baths in olive oil help against such injuries, and the oil also cares for the nail matrix and thus prevents white spots.
This is not possible overnight. It takes almost half a year for a fingernail to regenerate and for toenails for even longer. Only if the white spots remain despite careful nail care, hand protection and balanced nutrition, you should go to the doctor.
A symptom of disease?
White spots on the nails alone are therefore generally not a sign of illness. But do they go along with other changes, for example, do nails grow inwards or upwards, do they form bumps? Then it could point to serious problems, thyroid disorders, imbalance of hormones, psoriasis, nail fungus or diabetes.
nail fungus
Nail fungus or onchychomycosis is a fungus that attacks the nails; These thicken and turn white to yellowish. Verusacher are mostly Fadenplize, in the terminology dermatophytes.
Nail fungus is not just an aesthetic problem. If the affected nail is not treated, the fungus may spread to the surrounding nails, causing pain; even gripping and, with toenails, walking, is difficult.
Filamentous fungi love keratin, ie skin, hair and nails. Like most mushrooms, they thrive best where it is moist and warm. Sweaty gloves that do not let air through and unwashed socks on sweaty feet offer them paradisiacal conditions.
Nail fungi transmit directly, preferably in public baths, gyms and changing rooms. The pathogen survives in dander for weeks.
Older people are particularly susceptible to such infections. When the vessels "calcify", the blood circulation is poor, and many seniors also suffer from a weak immune system.
Athletes and construction workers often come in contact with the pathogens of the nail fungus, and also like the mushrooms softened by the sweat skin.
The fungus usually spreads from the anterior edge of the nail, infects the nail plate and dissolves the keratin to form cavities filled with air, leading to white patches. The nail becomes both plump, swollen, and discolored to a dirty white. In addition, the nail bed is inflamed.
Nail fungus not only hurts and looks ugly, it also paves the way for serious illnesses because the fungus causes tiny injuries, which in turn open the door to infections of all kinds.
diagnosis
A dermatologist makes the diagnosis; he separates a piece of the affected nail, prepares it with solutions and examines them under the microscope. He then creates a culture and thus determines which fungus it is.
therapy
There are effective antifungals against fungi that block growth and kill off infections. If the nail fungus has not yet spread around, the medication can be applied as a tincture and nail polish.
However, if the fungi have already infected the nail bed, external tincture treatments will do little, as the regrowing nail is constantly being re-infected. Then follows the internal treatment with tablets: The blood directs the fungus killer into the nail matrix.
The treatment takes a long time. Between the layers of a nail are namely filled with air cavities. In which the mushrooms nest and can survive years, protected from any tablet or tincture.
Help provide salves that contain potassium iodate. They dissolve the upper nail layers and thus release the cavities, thus breaking the protective cavity of the spores and kill them. A doctor can also mill away the upper nail layers and then apply the tincture.
However, the fungus killers only work if they are applied regularly for a long time, ie until the nail has regrown. For nail polish that means: half a year.
iron deficiency
In iron deficiency, white spots form on the fingernails. However, anyone who suffers from iron deficiency, also notices the other problems: He can concentrate badly and feels chronically tired, his skin dries and becomes pale, hair fall out and headaches plague those affected.
Encounter iron deficiency with the power of nature. Picture: Kitty - fotolia Iron deficiency is prevented by iron-rich foods. These include chanterelles, parsley, cashew nuts, amaranth, white beans, lentils, pumpkin seeds, sesame, millet and, for meat eaters, black pudding and pork liver. Vegetarians and vegans should pay special attention to sufficient iron, as the body can process iron from plant origin worse than iron from animal products. Vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron, a glass of orange juice to bean salad strengthens the effect, dairy products, however, inhibit the supply of iron. So rather no cream sauce to the chanterelles with parsley enough. Iron deficiency home remedies can also help.
However, white spots on the fingernails are, in most cases, at most an aesthetic problem. (Dr. Utz Anhalt)