White Nails (Leukonychia)

White Nails (Leukonychia), is a medical term for white discoloration appearing on nails. It is derived from the Greek words leuko ("white") and onyx (" nail"). The most common cause of White Nails (Leukonychia) is injury to the base of the nail (the matrix) where the nail is formed. An occasional white spot is usually evidence that the immune system overcame a bacterial or some other systemic infection. Proper diagnosis requires a thorough review of the patients medical history, and may require testing the health of the liver and kidneys.

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