White spots on your nails
There are two types of white spots: “true leukonychia” (spots on the nail plate itself) and “apparent leukonychia” (spots that look like they’re on the nail, but they’re actually on the nail bed skin underneath). True leukonychia could be a sign of poisoning from arsenic or heavy metal, although it’s rather rare. Apparent leukonychia, however, may be thanks to health problems in the kidney, liver, or heart. Press on the nail to tell the difference; if the white spot stays there, it’s on the nail itself and is generally no cause for concern. Sometimes this happens because of trauma to the nail, like hitting it against a door. If the whiteness disappears or changes color, it’s coming from the nail bed skin, and it could indicate a more serious health concern, according to Ivy Lee, MD, a dermatologist in Pasadena, California and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA.
