What are leukonychia spots commonly caused by?

Leukonychia spots, often characterized by white spots or lines on the nails, are primarily attributed to injury to the matrix area of the nail. The nail matrix is the tissue located under the base of the nail, where new nail cells are produced. When this area experiences trauma—whether from minor injuries like bumping the nail or more significant damage—it can result in the formation of white spots as the nail grows out.

These spots typically do not signify a serious health issue and often resolve on their own as the nail continues to grow and the nail is allowed to heal. They are generally not associated with systemic health problems like vitamin deficiencies or fungal infections in the context of typical cases. Furthermore, while genetic factors can influence various nail conditions, leukonychia specifically is most closely linked to physical injury rather than inherited traits. This makes injury to the matrix the primary cause of leukonychia spots.