Leukonychia

Leukonychia refers to a medical condition characterized by the development of white spots or streaks on the nails, both fingernails and toenails. Leukonychia derives its name from Greek words 'leuko' meaning white and 'onyx' signifying nail. The condition is usually benign and often a result of minor injury to the nail matrix, although it can be indicative of certain systemic diseases in some instances.

Leukonychia

Types of Leukonychia

• Leukonychia can be categorized into several types based on its presentation:
• Leukonychia totalis: This type is marked by a completely white nail plate and is relatively rare. It can be associated with systemic conditions or may be hereditary.
• Leukonychia partialis: This encompasses conditions where only part of the nail turns white. This type includes leukonychia punctata (white spots), leukonychia striata (longitudinal white streaks), and leukonychia transversa (transverse white bands).
• True leukonychia and Apparent leukonychia: True leukonychia is characterized by white discoloration of the nail plate itself due to matrix disease, whereas in apparent leukonychia, the nail plate appears white due to changes in the underlying nail bed or due to onycholysis (separation of the nail plate from the nail bed).

Symptoms and Signs

The primary and most noticeable sign of leukonychia is white discoloration appearing on the nails. The presentation can vary from small white dots to larger white streaks or even completely white nails, depending on the type and cause of the condition.

Causes

• Leukonychia is often a result of minor, often unnoticed, trauma to the base (matrix) of the nail. In these cases, the condition is usually temporary and resolves over time as the nail grows out.
• However, certain medical conditions may also lead to leukonychia. These include:
• Protein deficiency
• Zinc deficiency
• Arsenic poisoning
• Hepatic cirrhosis
• Renal failure
• Chemotherapy
• Certain systemic diseases, including heart disease, renal disease, and diabetes, can also present with leukonychia.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of leukonychia typically involves a thorough medical history and physical examination. The pattern and extent of the white discoloration can often suggest the likely cause.
• In some cases, laboratory tests may be conducted to rule out systemic diseases or nutritional deficiencies. For instance, a Complete Blood Count (CBC) can be helpful to check for signs of anemia, infection, or other conditions that can affect the nails.

Treatment

• Treatment of leukonychia generally depends on the underlying cause. In many cases where the condition is due to minor trauma, no specific treatment is needed, as the spots will fade or grow out as the nail grows.
• However, if the leukonychia is due to nutritional deficiencies or systemic disease, treating the underlying condition will generally resolve the nail changes. For instance, if leukonychia is due to a zinc deficiency, supplementation with zinc will likely improve the condition.

See Also

• Nail anatomy
• Nail disease

References

• American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2023). Nail Abnormalities: Leukonychia. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/nails/leukonychia
• National Health Service (UK). (2023). White Spots on the Nails. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/white-spots-on-the-nails/
• Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Nail Disorders and Abnormalities. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17746-nail-disorders-and-abnormalities
• Mayo Clinic. (2023). Nail Problems. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nails/symptoms-causes/syc-20353284

External Links

Leukonychia Resources
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