<Li> Psoriasis as well as eczema </Li> <P> This condition consists of a whitening of the entire nail and mostly likely occurs on all nails . Whitening of one, and only one, entire nail is not recognized as a symptom of Leukonychia totalis but as a likely result of mechanical trauma . Leukonychia totalis may be a clinical sign of hypoalbuminaemia (low albumin), which can be seen in nephrotic syndrome (a form of kidney failure), liver failure, protein malabsorption and protein - losing enteropathies . A genetic condition or a side effect from taking sulphonamides (a family of antibiotics) can also cause this appearance . </P> <P> This condition consists of a whitening of parts of the nail plate in the form of small white dots . There are three different variations of partial leukonychia; punctate, transverse and longitudinal leukonychia . Some of the more serious variations of leukonychia partialis may lead to leukonychia totalis . </P> <P> Leukonychia striata, transverse leukonychia, or Mees' lines are a whitening or discoloration of the nail in bands or "stria" that run parallel the lunula (nail base). This is commonly caused by physical injury or disruption of the nail matrix . Common examples include excessive biting or tapping of the nails, trauma or injury from accidents involving doors or windows, and extensive use of manicure . It may also occur in great toenails as a result of trauma from footwear . Alternatively, the condition can be caused by heavy metal poisoning, most commonly by lead . Finally, it can be caused by cirrhosis of the liver or chemotherapy . The tendency toward leukonychia striata is sometimes inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion . In other cases, it can be attributed to vigorous manicuring and trauma aforementioned, or to a wide variety of systemic illnesses . Serious infections known for high fevers, measles, malaria, herpes, and leprosy may also cause this condition . In many patients, there is no obvious cause, and the streaks resolve spontaneously . There is a similar condition called Muehrcke's lines (apparent leukonychia) which differs from leukonychia in that the lines fade with digital compression and does not migrate with the growth of the nail . </P>

Where do the white spots on nails come from