Have you ever taken off your nail polish only to discover 'white dots' beneath?

If it happened just once, you might have dismissed it, but if it keeps recurring or you notice numerous spots, should you be concerned about your health?

Our bodies can communicate that something is amiss in a variety of strange and fascinating ways, but sometimes what appears to be a serious symptom might actually be completely harmless.

How can you distinguish between the two, and when should you be concerned?

Injuring your hands could cause white spots to appear (Getty Stock Image/Thai Liang Lim)

What are these white spots on my nails called?

These annoying white spots are known as leukonychia, and they come in a few different varieties:

• True leukonychia - in this form, you may notice white spots forming in the area of your fingers or toes where the nail begins to grow, as well as in the hard part of your nail, known as the nail plate.
• Apparent leukonychia - where the spots form in your nail bed.
• Pseudoleukonychia - where the white spots appear on the surface of your nail, often caused by issues like nail fungus.

These types can manifest as one or two medium-sized spots, or they might appear as numerous small specks.

Some individuals may develop large spots on just one or a few nails, while others may have very large spots. You might have spots on only one nail, or they could appear on multiple nails.

What causes these white spots?

The development of these white spots usually indicates that you have experienced some form of stress or trauma to the nail.

This could result from something obvious, like hitting your nail during a DIY project or simply striking it hard against a surface.

It could also be due to an allergic reaction or as a side effect of medication.

Fungal infections can also lead to nail discoloration that mimics the white spots seen in other types.

However, according to Cleveland Clinic, in rare cases, they can be a sign of diabetes, heart failure, HIV, psoriasis, or other conditions.

Some hereditary conditions, such as Bart-Pumphrey syndrome and Darier disease, can also cause white spots.

The spots can be concerning but are usually harmless (Getty Stock Image/MementoJpeg)

What about deficiencies?

It has often been suggested that white spots on your nails are a symptom of a vitamin deficiency or insufficient calcium intake.

Experts remain uncertain whether deficiencies actually cause these white spots to appear.

Some believe it may be due to a lack of iron, calcium, and zinc, but many professionals assert that there isn't enough research to be certain.

There simply isn’t sufficient research to draw any accurate conclusions.

How can I get rid of the white spots?

Treatment for these spots depends on their cause.

If they result from injuries, there's nothing you can do except wait for them to grow out.

If there's no apparent injury and they keep appearing, it might be wise to see a doctor to rule out anything serious or a fungal infection.

The pesky white spots are called leukonychia (Getty Stock Image/Evgeniya Krasnova)

How can I prevent white spots on my nails?

The most crucial thing is to handle your nails gently.

Be cautious when doing DIY projects, and wear gloves during activities that might be tough on your nails, such as sports or manual labor.

Moisturizing your hands and nails, keeping them trimmed short, and avoiding irritating chemicals can also help.