Fact or Old Wives Tale?

[Chell]

When you have white patches on your nails does it really mean that you have a deficiancy or is it an old wives tale?

I noticed that my DS has some and was wondered if I should be worried?

[Nicki]

It can be a sign of a zinc deficiency, but could also just be sign that the nails have got very slightly damaged at some point, or that the child has suffered a period of ill health in the past. I was very ill after I had my second child, and about 3 months later had a lovely regular band of white across all my nails at the same point. if your child has a generally healthy diet, I wouldn't be too concerned.

[Jays]

Small patches of white at irregular points are most likely to be a 'bruise' ie where the nail has been knocked during development. Nicki is right about a regularly spaced band of white being an indication of past ill health, a ridge can also appear in similar conditions.

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Do you have white spots or marks on your nails? (http://www.mybodylanguage.co.uk/white_spots.htm)

[Lady E]

My Mum always told us that it was calcium deficency and that we had to drink more milk .