What Causes the White Spots on Your Fingernails?

Have You Ever Wondered What Causes Them?

When I was little, I remember noticing a white spot underneath my fingernail. I asked my parents what it was, and they jokingly told me that it only appeared when I told a lie. I went to my room, not realizing that it was only a joke, and sat for hours wondering what lie had I told that was so bad that it left a scar. Then I started looking at my other nails and found two more with the same white spot. This is not the same white spots on the base of your nails. It was between the base of the nail and the tip.

For awhile, I watched what I said. I didn't want anymore. I finally asked about it again and I was told that it wasn't because I lied. But I never was given a real reason of why it was there.

So today, I have decided to find the answer. This was going to be harder than I thought. In my search, I found that your fingernails may be able to tell you when something might be wrong with your body. Some examples of these are: If the half moon at the base of your nail is white, than you are probably in good health and getting proper nutrition. If your nails are very bendable, than you might have come in contact with alkali, have a problem with Arthritis, malnutrition, or your endocrine system. Brittle nails are sometimes a symptom of dry nails, contact with irritating substances, iron-deficiency, kidney problems, circulation problems or thyroid problems.
This was very informational, but, I wanted the medical reason. So with a little more searching, I found it. Webmd.com defines it as Leukonychia. A occurrence of white spots or patches under the nails of unknown cause, the discoloration may be total or in the form of lines or dots.