27 years
I spotted a small white dot on my toenail which made me think it's toenail fungus. How to treat it quickly since it just appeared?
Jan 15, 2014
CAUSES OF WHITE DOTS ON NAIL might be funjal
The most common factor that can cause white spots on the nails is fungi, which can come from the air and soil. People who cover their nails with polish all the time may later see white spots because a lack of oxygen to the toenail encourages the growth of nail fungus. Sweaty feet also provide a good medium of fungal infection.
TRY these FOR fungal infection :
-Try to avoid injury to nails, which may increase the risk of developing a nail infection.
-Wear footwear such as flip-flops in public places, such as communal bathing/shower places, locker rooms, etc.
-Avoid towel sharing.
-Consider replacing old footwear, as this could be contaminated with fungal spores.
OTHER CAUSES :
-Wearing closed tight shoes most of the time can also deprive the nails of air, thus encouraging the proliferation of fungus in the nails. When these microbes get under the nail and grow, white spots begin to appear. Generally, there are three types of fungi that can affect the nails, including yeast, mold, and dermatophyte. Fungal infection of the nail often appears near the tip of the nail rather than near the cuticle. As the white spots grow bigger the toenail can become either thinner or thicker and may change in color. The nail also becomes weaker and may tend to split or flake.
-Nutritional factors such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies can cause white spots to appear on the fingernails and toenails. Many women lack calcium in their diet, and this does not only result in weak bones; it can also be manifested by having white spots on toenails as well as fingernails.
-A deficiency in zinc results in a similar situation. Zinc is an important mineral involved in boosting the immune system, and one who experiences frequent infections accompanied by falling hair and white spots on the nails may need to add a zinc supplement to their diet.
-Injury. Anything that causes injury to the toenail can cause white spots to appear on the nail a few days or even weeks after the injury. This may also be due to fungus entering the nail after the initial injury.
-Allergic reaction. The appearance of whites on the toenails can be an allergic reaction to a product such as nail polish, a polish remover or a nail hardener. The spots may not appear immediately, but only after using the products repeatedly or for a long time. This is not a cause for alarm, because discontinuation of use of the product may lead the white spots to disappear.
-Diseases. Although most of the causes of white spots on nails are not serious, some diseases can manifest as nail discolorations, such as certain heart, kidney or liver disease.
One can obtain some traditional home remedies or natural healing products over-the-counter to treat the condition. These may consist of topical or oral medications which can be used without a doctor's prescription. However, it is best to consult a health care professional to find out what is causing the problem.
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