Manuel Vidal, podiatrist: "The white spots that appear on nails don't go away because of a lack of calcium."

White spots on nails are not related to a calcium deficiency , as podiatrist Manuel Vidal denies in a video he shared on his social media profile. This belief, which has been widespread for years, lacks scientific basis and is often due to a common misunderstanding about the origin of these marks.

Vidal clarifies that these signs are called leukonychia and that, in most cases, they are due to microtrauma to the nail bed. "This is called leukonychia, and it most often happens because we hit the nail bed," the specialist explains. Such bruises can occur, for example, from biting our nails or accidentally hitting a hard surface.

A slow and imperceptible process

The problem, he adds, is that these types of traumas often go unnoticed or are forgotten over time, and the marks don't appear immediately. According to the podiatrist, a nail can take between six and eight months to fully grow, which explains why these signs appear weeks after the impact that caused them.

“They often take a while to appear because it takes the nail between six and eight months to grow.”

“They often take a while to appear because it takes the nail between six and eight months to grow,” Vidal says, reinforcing the idea that these marks are not usually indicative of disease or nutritional deficiencies.

When is it appropriate to worry?

While these white spots are usually harmless and temporary, there are rare cases in which they could be associated with pathologies or nutritional deficiencies . However, the expert insists that these scenarios are rare and, in most cases, do not require medical intervention.

“If these stains don't disappear or move, it's best to consult a professional.”

Vidal offers an important recommendation: pay attention to the development of the spot . "If these spots don't disappear or move, it's best to consult a professional," he warns. This is because if the spot remains static for months, it could indicate a condition other than the expected post-traumatic leukonychia.

Debunking myths about nutrition

The video has captured attention precisely because of its accessible language and informative approach. Thanks to this, it has helped to clearly debunk a misconception that has been passed down from generation to generation: the supposed link between these spots and calcium consumption .

"Science contradicts this: there's no evidence linking them to calcium," Vidal emphasizes. Just observing how nails develop reveals that, in most cases, these marks are mechanical, not nutritional, in origin.