The white mucus on toenails is mainly due to inflammation of the toenails. This inflammation leads to the death of white blood cells as they combat bacteria, resulting in pus formation. By cleaning off the white mucus on the toenails and implementing proper toenail care measures, re-infection can be prevented. Let's delve into the causes of white mucus on toenails.
What Causes White Spots on Nails? White spots on nails may indicate the presence of onychomycosis, which typically manifests in two forms. One form is white nails, often starting at the nail root, with small white spots appearing on the nail plate surface and gradually expanding, causing the nail plate to soften and sink. The other type of damage starts at the free edge and sidewall of the nail, causing small depressions or transverse grooves on the nail plate, which gradually develop into brittleness, fragility, thickening, and a brownish internal color. Accumulation of debris under the nail often causes the nail to become hollow, lift up, and separate from the nail bed, with the nail surface becoming uneven, rough, and dull. It is recommended to undergo a detailed examination at a formal hospital, identify the specific cause of the disease, and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Normal nails are half the length of the third phalanx of the finger, with a moderate width, elasticity, resistance to breaking, a certain degree of hardness, parallel edges with the flesh, a light reddish color, gloss, no spots, and no concavities or convexities. Causes of White Spots on Toenails:
1. When we have white spots on our toenails, we should first consider whether we often experience stomachaches. If so, it may be due to the presence of intestinal worms caused by not deworming for too long, leading to the body symptom of white spots on the toenails. For this reason, we can simply purchase deworming medication from a pharmacy, take it, and eliminate the worms to solve the problem.
2. If only the toenails have white spots without frequent stomachaches, we should consider whether the body is experiencing malnutrition. When our bodies lack calcium, magnesium, zinc, and other trace elements, white spots will appear on the toenails. In this case, timely supplementation of these trace elements is sufficient.
3. When there are problems with our digestive system, we may also experience the body symptom of white spots on the toenails. In this case, taking some digestive aids to help our stomach and intestines digest food will naturally solve the problem.
Four Hidden Illnesses Indicated by White Spots on Nails: 1. A bulge at the base of the nail with white spots indicates potential respiratory issues such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. This condition is also related to genetics. Many people frequently cut their nails for cleanliness, use fingers, cotton swabs, etc., to clean their ears, and use fingers to pick their noses. While many people consider these actions merely unelegant, they can actually lead to hearing loss, loss of smell, and infections.
2. White spots on nails with pinkness nearby may be a precursor to liver cirrhosis. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, "the liver stores blood and the kidneys store essence." The nails reflect the sufficiency of liver blood, and blood and essence are homologous, influencing each other. Therefore, the saying that "white spots on nails are a precursor to kidney deficiency" has some merit.
3. White spots on nails, accompanied by reddening of the white half-moon area at the base of the nail, indicate heart problems. It is crucial to undergo a timely examination at a hospital, as heart disease is not trivial. White spots on nails with a thin, rough, and brittle surface may be caused by iron and zinc deficiency. Recommendations: Foods such as lean meat, eggs, seafood, and walnuts are high in zinc; spinach, black fungus, and animal blood are high in iron. These foods can be appropriately increased in daily diets.
4. More than half of the nail area turning white, with black spots appearing on the fingertips, may indicate hidden kidney problems. White spots on nails not only serve as a warning sign of illness in adults but are also a common phenomenon in babies. White spots on baby fingers differ from those in adults, so mothers should not have too much psychological burden.
