Whitening of one, and only one, entire nail is not recognized as a symptom of leukonychia totalis but as a likely result of mechanical trauma.

A genetic condition or a side effect from taking sulphonamides (a family of antibiotics) can also cause this appearance.

[4] This condition consists of a whitening of parts of the nail plate in the form of small white dots.

Common examples include excessive biting or tapping of the nails, trauma or injury from accidents involving doors or windows, and extensive use of manicure.

In other cases, it can be attributed to vigorous manicuring and trauma aforementioned, or to a wide variety of systemic illnesses.

In most cases, when white spots appear on a single or a couple of fingernails or toenails, the most common cause is injury to the base (matrix) of the nail.

When this is the case, white spots disappear after around eight months, which is the amount of time the nails take to regrow completely.

While there are various sources that link dietary needs or vitamin deficiency with recurrent leukonychia,[14] this notion has been challenged by some medical researchers.