Diseases & Conditions
Why do I have white spots on my nails?
Ask the doctors
Q. My fingernails are sprinkled with tiny white spots. Why do these form?
A. These nail spots are a common occurrence — and usually don't signal a serious problem — but it may take some sleuthing to figure out why you've developed them. The most likely cause of white spots on the nails is minor trauma of some sort, whether from a rough manicure involving filing and cuticle cutting or excessive tapping of the hands and fingers on a hard surface.
Sometimes, dry, white areas on the nails form when you leave nail polish on for too long — weeks or longer — which doesn't allow the nail to shed cells normally. A fungal infection could also be the culprit, depositing a white film that may cover a few areas or even all of the nail. Certain more serious conditions can also cause half or more of the nail to appear white. These include low iron levels, kidney disease, or scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).
If hand trauma or wearing nail polish for prolonged periods don't seem likely causes of your nail spots, ask your doctor for her assessment. Letting the spots disappear on their own could be a lengthy process, since it can take six or more months for fingernails to grow out.
Image: © Nadya So/Getty Images
About the Authors
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Hope Ricciotti, MD, Editor at Large, Harvard Women's Health Watch
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