LEUCONYCHIA

LEUCONYCHIA

Leuconychia, a totally harmless nail disease, popularly known as white nails is a condition where abnormal white colour appears on nails. This white colour can be total or partial. In some other cases it may even appear in straight lines. The cause for Leuconychia may be hereditary or acquired.

Leuconychia occurs very rarely on toe nails. When compared toe nails Leuconychia finger nails are more susceptible to Leuconychia. Symptoms of congenial or hereditary Leuconychia can be seen on the nails from child hood it self.

The white spots or lines that appear on nails need not be in a uniform shape or in the same place on all nails.

Tiny bubbles of air trapped under the nails can sometimes lead to this nail disorder. But it need not be as simple as this in all cases. In some cases Leuconychia seems to be associated with liver diseases. It can also be appear due to fungal infection, lymphoma and renal failure.

Patients affected with Hypoalbuminemia are also seen affected by Leuconychia in many cases. Apart from these, psychogenic stresses are also considered to be as a factor that prompts this nail disorder.

Other factors that may lead to this type of nail abnormality include leprosy, exposure to extreme cold, hepatic cirrhosis, anemia, hypoproeinemia, onychophagia and occupational trauma.

Many think Leuconychia as a sign of calcium and vitamin deficiency. In fact it has nothing to do with calcium or vitamins and so the intake or vitamins or calcium will not be helpful in curing this nail disorder.

Leuconychia does not require any treatment as such. Normally the white colour that appears on nail would disappear naturally as the nail grows. Applying nail polish can temporarily hide this disease. However wearing nail polish is not a cure to this disease. Further continuous application of nail polish is not advisable as they may trigger various unforeseen allergic reactions to the skin around the nails. It is not good for the health of the nail also.

Deficiency of zinc in the body may cause appearance of white spots on nails. Adding green leafy vegetables, nuts and whole grains in your regular diet is good to avoid zinc deficiency. Intake of Zinc supplements is also found to be effective in such cases.