COMMON NAIL PROBLEMS

White patches in the nails are not caused by calcium deficiency

There are a number of causes for the appearance of white patches in the nails, but calcium deficiency is not one of them. Immature nail cells are soft and reflect light and so appear white. As the nail grows these cells normally harden forming the normal transparent nail. Damage to the growing portion of the nail, for instance, due to any kind of physical injury, can interfere with the hardening of the cells of the nail. As a result, some cells retain their ability to reflect light and appear on the surface either as white spots or as white streaks. The normal fee edge of the nail also appears white because it is not attached to the nail bed and reflects light. Similarly any nail problem which causes separation of the nail plate from the nail bed can cause whitish streaks on the nail. A common cause of such white patches is fungal infection of the nail this problem must be shown to the doctor for treatment. Brittle nails and flaking of nails are very common due to excessive dryness of the nail plate. As mentioned earlier, the nail plate is made up of dead keratin cells held together by a natural glue of fats and water. Any loss of fats and water causes the cells to separate and results in flaking and brittleness of the nails.