Medically, small white patches that sometimes appear as spots or lines on the fingernails and toenails are known as leukonychia. These spots are usually mild and appear as a result of injury, allergies, or vitamin deficiency. Most of these cases can be treated at home with a variety of natural treatments. However, if these spots don't go away, it's a good idea to visit your doctor for a check-up. Although rare, white spots on the nails can be a sign of a health problem.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Home Treatments
Step 1. Moisturize your nails daily
Be sure to moisturize not only your hands, but your nails as well. Apply moisturizing hand oil or vitamin E oil to your nails every night before going to bed to help maintain strength and health, as well as fade the appearance of white spots.
Step 2. Try using essential oils
Essential oils are known to heal white spots that arise due to injury or fungus on the nails. Tea tree oil and orange oil tend to give the best results. Just mix a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil like olive oil and then rub it on your fingernails. Orange oil should be allowed to soak into the nails for about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, tea tree oil should be allowed to soak in for about 15-20 minutes.
Be sure to always wash and wash your fingernails after using the oil
Step 3. Soak your nails in a mixture of white vinegar and water
Mix white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio in a bowl. Dip your nails into the bowl of the vinegar and water mixture. Soak your nails in it for 10 minutes, then wash and dry. Do this treatment about 4 times a week. The spots on the nails should start to diminish.
If your skin is sensitive, use a larger ratio of water
Step 4. Rub the lemon wedge onto the nail surface
Lemons contain a lot of vitamin C. Meanwhile, vitamin C deficiency is sometimes the cause of white spots on the nails. To take advantage of lemons, simply cut the fruit in half and then rub it over your nails. Let the lemon juice sit on your nails for 20-30 minutes. After that, wash and dry your nails.
Step 5. Soak nails in plain yogurt
Natural, unflavored plain yogurt can improve nail health and reduce the appearance of white spots. Put about 3 tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl, then dip your nails in it for 10-15 minutes. When finished, wash your nails with warm water.
You can also add a few drops of lemon juice or vitamin E oil to the yogurt
Step 6. Use an alkaline seltzer tablet
Alka seltzer tablets are known to reduce white spots in some people. Put some of these tablets in warm water then soak your nails in it for 5 minutes.
Step 7. Let the nails lengthen
In most of the cases, the most important thing needed in dealing with white spots on nails is patience. These spots will usually fade or carry along with the growth of the nail. While you can do several things to speed up this process, sometimes all you need to do is wait.
Method 2 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Change your diet
Deficiencies of zinc, vitamin C, calcium, and protein can sometimes cause white spots to appear on the nails. Therefore, increasing your intake of these vitamins and minerals can help you cope.
- Eat fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and apples to increase your vitamin C intake.
- Broccoli, cabbage, kale, radishes, poultry, fish, and beans can also provide the nutrients needed to maintain healthy nails.
- You can also try using a multivitamin that is available at the convenience store or drug store. If you are sensitive and cannot eat certain foodstuffs, multivitamins can help you meet the nutrients for the body.
Step 2. Avoid biting and picking your nails
This bad habit can damage your nails. If you tend to break your nails like this often, try to stop doing it. By reducing the habit of biting and picking nails, the spots will begin to decrease.
If you're having trouble breaking the habit of biting or picking your nails, try putting a bandage on your nails. Painting your nails will also help because you usually don't want to damage your freshly painted nails
Step 3. Adjust your footwear
If white spots also often appear on the toenails, change the shoes you wear. Tight, uncomfortable shoes can damage toenails, causing white spots to appear. So, replace the shoes you normally wear with looser and more comfortable footwear and see if the white spots decrease.
This step is very important, especially if you often do physical activities such as running, jogging, or other strenuous exercise. Comfortable tennis shoes are also important for the health of your nails
Step 4. Wear protective gloves when cleaning
Try not to wash dishes, clean, or do other household chores with your bare hands. While it may seem harmless, this activity can actually cause your nails to dry out and break. For that, buy rubber gloves to keep your nails healthy.
Step 5. Don't paint your nails too often
Try not to paint your nails two days in a row, if you're used to doing it regularly. Nail polish can make your nails dry and damaged, and trigger problems such as white spots. You should also pay attention to how your nails react to the paint. If white spots appear after you use a certain paint, you may have an allergy. So, immediately stop using the nail polish.
Also, try to minimize manicure treatments. Try to only use a professional manicure service on special occasions if your nails are prone to white spots
Method 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Treatment
Step 1. See a doctor if the white spots on the nails don't go away
If these spots don't go away after you try home remedies, make an appointment with your doctor. Although usually harmless, white spots on the nails can sometimes indicate an underlying health problem such as anemia or liver problems. In addition, to treat cases of toenail fungus, you may need prescription medication.
Step 2. Use an oral antifungal medication
If you suspect that the cause of the spots on the nails is fungus, see a doctor for a prescription antifungal medication. Usually these drugs should be used for 6-12 weeks until they can relieve the symptoms of toenail fungus including white spots.
Be sure to tell your doctor about any health problems you have before starting to take antifungal medication. Antifungals can cause rashes or damage to the liver
Step 3. Try medicated nail polish or cream
Your doctor may also prescribe an antifungal cream or polish to use on your nails. Usually, this cream or paint must be used for a certain time, which is between a few weeks to a year.
