Nail fungus does not have to start from a grotesque spot on the nail, but rather it can be just a white spot that looks similar to those white spots that appear on your nails that are caused from a calcium deficiency. Oh, but wait, those white spots on your nails have never been from a calcium deficiency, but in actuality they are actually either nail fungus or bruises. Exactly, who knew!
Nail fungus may or can first appear as a white spot(s) on your nail, and usually needs a warm and moist environment to grow. If left untreated it will and can become worse, and will develop into a nail that is discolored and has a crumbled edge. And if there is more than one nail affected then it is possible you could be suffering from what is called onychomycosis. What is onychomycosis you ask? Research it; I am not your personal dictionary! Okay, fine, onychomycosis is when a nail shape becomes distorted or raised/raises from the nail bed and more than one nail is affected. It is possible, but not in each case, that the affected nail(s) may also have a foul odor- and you may even feel pain in your toe(s) or fingertip(s). Remember, the pain that is spoken of does not have to necessarily mean unbearable pain, but it can just be the slightest pressure from a shoe that at one point in time did not normally put pressure on your toe(s), but now it does.
The white spots that are commonly known as the symbol for calcium deficiency are actually called leukonychia, and are obviously very common. So common that people mistaken these white spots for just mere indicators for lacking calcium (so much that it even gained the name milk spots), but not knowing that the real issue is white spots on nails really indicate fungus!
Do not worry or fear, because this process is actually normal in fact, so no need to rush to the doctor crying about your fungus. Most of the time the white spots are simply just a sign of some past injury to the matrix (in other words- base of your nails).
Injuries such as bumping your nail, a nail tech placing excessive pressure on your nail while giving you a manicure, or an allergic reaction to nail polish or nail hardeners, or a symptom of a mild infection.
As mentioned before, do not worry yourself about it because in most situations by the time the white spots appear (typically about six weeks after the injury) the nail has already begun the healing process. By the time they appear you have more than likely even forgotten all about how it even happened.
Want to see these white spots disappear!? Well, there is no secret potion, so your nail will just have to naturally grow out, and the growth process can last more than eight months. Yes, a long process so you and those white spots may just have to become best buddies for almost a year.
Watch out because there is another horrible myth that will lead you astray from the truth, and that is white spots on nails indicate a zinc deficiency. WRONG! Nothing merely then a story to steer you away from believing you actually have a live fungus growing on your nail. Well, someone had to be the one to inform you, but those white spots are a part of the fungi-nation! But if a nail turns mostly or all white, then it is time to get flabbergasted and worry, it is then when you not only should but need to see that doctor! Okay, okay, okay, before the nail turns mostly or all white your body will give you signs way before then, but do see a doctor if or when it does.
