It happens regularly that there are white spots, dots or stripes on your nails. The most common are small white dots or spots. This is also called leukonychia punctata. Sometimes there are stripes across (leukonychia striata). It also happens that the nail is completely white (leukonychia totalis). No worries, this does not indicate a shortage of calcium, zinc or vitamins. Usually they are the result of a punch or a tap. The white spots are best compared to bruises. Everyone bumps and continuously damages their nails and fingers, but forgets about that. Nails grow very slowly at about 3.5 millimetres per month, so the damage to the nail only becomes visible when your nail continues to grow. The occasional white spot on some nails is not abnormal.