Get rid of white spots on your nails

White spots on nails; they can ruin an otherwise perfect manicure and they’re awfully difficult to get rid of. So why do they keep showing up? And more importantly, how can you keep them away?

RELATED: 5 ways to help dry and brittle nails

Causes
White spots on fingernails are most commonly caused by injury to the nail bed. They can occur as a result of picking or biting at the nails, or as a result of banging the nail against something. Because white spots on fingernails work much like bruises, it’s often difficult to ascertain exactly what moment you may have injured the nail bed – as they start to show up days after the actual incident has occurred.

Myths
It’s a well publicised myth that white spots on nails occur as a result of a deficiency in zinc or calcium. In actual fact this is extremely rare and if you do indeed have a vitamin deficiency, it should show up in other areas of your body besides your nails – so unless you’ve started losing hair or your skin complexion has changed, white spots on your nails are not a cause for alarm.

Treatment
Unfortunately, the best form of treatment is patience. Much like a bruise, you need to wait it out and let the white spots heal and disappear in their own time. If you regularly wear false nails and have noticed repeated occurrence of white spots on nails, it may be a sign that your artificial nails are causing trauma to your nail bed and it’s time to take a break.

Prevention
Keep white spots on nails away by adhering to proper nail care practices. Avoid biting, picking and ripping false nails off and where possible, try to avoid banging your nails against hard surfaces.

Do you get white spots on your nails? How do keep them from coming back?

133 Member Comments

talk-a-lot 20 Apr 2020 8:27 PM

I have not had white spots on my nails for years now. I love the ombre nails they look great.

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mytoenailsarecrusty 22 Feb 2020 5:48 AM

WHAT IF IVE BEEN WAITING For neARLY 3 YEaRS FAM

xClaudia 23 May 2019 11:22 AM

Darn, was hoping there was an actual way to get rid of them. Fortunately I actually get them really infrequently given I'm not always thorough with my nail care.

ubd2u 24 Apr 2018 11:28 AM

I have heard of the calcium lack and i have also heard of causing trauma to the nail. Just looked at my nails and if anyone read my previous comment, I am dying my hair blue black, waiting for this to process, looked at my nails and found I must of scratched, cause the top of my finger and nail are black

Gail157 20 Apr 2018 5:36 PM

I have many problems with my nails- the main one is that they have a tendency to split from the tip of the edge of the nail to the cuticle. I have tried just about everything to fix this, but nothing works.

Thankfully, white spots are something that has not been troubled.me

wandus 20 Apr 2018 2:35 PM

I'm Very disappointed with "No cure" verdict. I have one damaged nail since I was four and experimenting with the door. I tried patience, nail polish, being vigilant with the manicure, using nail strengthening products and so on...My whole youth I tired and now in my fifties I accepted it....finally. It ads some character and personality to my humble persona

erinkay94 16 Apr 2018 8:32 PM

Definitely was always told to get rid of them you need to drink more milk (maybe because I hated milk as a kid)

Jenniqua 13 Apr 2018 3:05 PM

Wow I did not know this, I always thought it was calcium. Good to know, as I have one on my thumb nail, and I know I am always knocking that poor little guy.

Yohanna 13 Apr 2018 12:11 PM

Did not have these in ages! Never bothered about them to be honest

skincare junkie 12 Apr 2018 10:37 PM

I don't think I have white spots in my nails, but I have not looked closely enough. I usually neglect my nails!

BeautifulJusty 12 Apr 2018 4:44 PM

I thought it was in relation to calcium deficiencies too

Okatko 11 Apr 2018 11:19 PM

I don’t think they look that bad and if it’s not a sign of something more serious then I don’t and won’t worry about them.

MelissaFay89 11 Apr 2018 10:34 PM

I had wondered about these

Tigerlily 11 Apr 2018 7:01 PM

I still get these; no idea why. I really doubt it’s any nail trauma but c’est la vie I’ve learnt to live with them. Good to know it’s not due to any deficiency!