What typically causes leukonychia?

Leukonychia, characterized by the appearance of white spots or lines on the nails, is most commonly caused by injury or trauma to the nail matrix. When the nail matrix sustains damage, it can result in abnormalities in nail growth, leading to the formation of these white areas. This can occur from various forms of trauma, such as hitting the nail or excessive pressure, which disrupts the production of the nail’s keratin.

While genetics, fungal infections, and dryness can contribute to nail conditions, they are not the primary causes of leukonychia. Genetic predispositions may lead to different nail abnormalities, and fungal infections typically present with discoloration or changes in nail texture rather than isolated white spots. Dryness can affect the overall health of the nails but does not specifically lead to leukonychia. Therefore, injury or trauma stands out as the most frequent and direct cause of this condition.