- We focus on what has worked for 10,000+ patients & medical research.
- The #1 goal is to keep costs LOW and treatment SIMPLE.
- Just remember this is for educational reference only.
- If you have a medical problem visit with your personal doctor.
- Please comment if any questions!
Toenail Pain [Toenail Fungus, Ingrown Toenails, Discolored Toenails]
White Chalky Toenails from Nail Polish: Causes & Best Treatment!
White chalky toenails from nail polish are called keratin granulations. This is usually NOT toenail fungus. Get the 100% BEST treatment!
Look:
- We will show you an animated diagnosis & treatment guide, photos and the best FAST treatment options for toenail fungus.
- These are SIMPLE & EASY options that we have seen success with.
- Also included is our Toenail Fungus Treatment Video Guide!
So, Let’s Get STARTED!

Look:
- These photos are of dehydrated superficial nail keratin granulations vs other toenail conditions.
- Keratin granulations are white chalky appearing dehydration.
- It is possible that some fungus could be mixed in with the keratin granulations.
- It is also possible to have superficial white onychomycosis.
So click on the photos for gallery mode & description!
Click on pictures for full size & descriptions:
Click on pictures for full size & descriptions:
Overview of White Chalky Toenails from Nail Polish:
- White chalky toenails from nail polish are called keratin granulations.
- These occur when you dehydrate the top of your nail with nail polish remove like acetone.
- They are not actually chalky until you remove the toenail polish.
- This is not fungus but can be very easily compared to this due to extensive dryness. There is a comparable toenail fungus called superficial white onychomycosis.

Treatment Overview:
- Any moisturizing lotion will work great for dehydrated toenails: So don’t just buy the ones that I am recommending!
- These options are great for both repairing and killing any fungus if you think that may also be going on.
- If it sounds like you have just keratin granulations: use something around the house and start doing it TODAY!
- So the KEY is…. Just moisturize and debride the dead toenail crust with a nail file then moisturize them.










Toenail Fungus Polish and Remover:








White Chalky Toenails from Nail Polish: Usually not fungus!

White chalky toenails from nail polish are called Keratin Granulations are white smudge marks on your nails that usually occur after you take off your nail polish, but are luckily very treatable!
- Nail polish polish contains compounds like acetone.
- These compounds can dehydrate the nails underneath them leading to a protein called “keratin” to dehydrate.
- These keratin molecules can clump together creating white smudges.
- These are called “keratin granulations”
Are Keratin Granulations Dangerous?

No they are not dangerous!
- This condition is not very dangerous, it is basically just a fancy way of saying that you have dry nails.
- The only downsides to not doing anything about it is that your nails are more brittle and more likely to chip in the future.
- Think of this as being a completely cosmetic problem only.
Symptoms:
Keratin granulations can manifest themselves in the following ways:
- White nails.
- Dry and brittle nails.
- Nail polish was just recently removed.
- No pain or irritation.
- Nails were previously healthy.
Home Treatment:
- Keratin Granulations are very easily taken care of through moisturizing your nails with cuticle wax, oils and simply avoiding nail polish for a little while.
- It is not necessary to buy anything expensive or online; it is fine simply using a product like Vaseline or any other petroleum oil in most circumstances.
- Protect your fingernails and toenails from toenail polish remover, this can permanently damage the toenails until new and healthy toenail polish grows out.
- It can take well over a year to grow a new healthy toenail for your lesser toes and big toenails.
- So get yourself some petroleum jelly at your corner store and just apply it to your nails at night when you won’t be using your hands. In 2 weeks you should be in great shape!
Treatment Steps:

Step #1) Stop using toenail polish if you can help it.
- Washing off toenail polish with acetone remover will generally cause these white smudges to happen.
- This is not toenail fungus, but the dehydrated toenail granulations from the acetone remover.
- If you stop needing to use acetone remover, then its pretty much guaranteed that you won’t have any future keratin granulations.
- But if you do need to keep using the remover, don’t worry there is always stuff you can do to prevent anything worse from happening.
- You can still take care of your ganulations at home.

Step #2) Use a currette or nail file to clean off the superficial keratin granulation.
- There are deeper good layers of toenail still alive underneath the superficial dead layers.
- Its like exfoliating your dead skin, just clean off the outer dead layers.
- A nail file and a currette can work great in this regard.
- Your toenail has many layers and simply smoothing out the top layers will make your toenail look healthy again.
- Underneath this is good healthy toenail that can then be moisturized.

Step #3) Moisturize your toenails:
- I would recommend using something strong like a cream or petroleum jelly at night.
- These work much better than water based lotions.
- This strengthens your nail and makes it look healthy.
- This works great when combined with exfoliation.
Home Treatment Pros vs. Cons:
White Chalky Toenails From Toenail Polish Treatment Review: A+
Pros:
- This is a cheap treatment option.
- Petroleum jelly and moisturizing creams are readily available.
- The cure is almost instant.
- A nail file and clippers are easily available.
Cons:
- The downside of the treatment is that it is not permanent.
- As long as you keep using acetone remover, you will keep getting keratin granulations.
- Alternatives are to check some of the non-acetone removes below.
- Another option is antifungal toenail and fingernail polish.
Recommended White Chalky Toenail Treatment Option:

Just remember as long as your moisturize you will do great, this is just one recommended option.
Good luck!
Diagnosis of White Toenail Diseases:
White spots on toenails causes:
1) White marks on toenails & nails:
- This is also called leukonychia.
- This means the nail was bumped or slammed on that part of the nail.
- I know I get this regularly when I catch my finger in a closing door or drawer.
- This will eventually grow out and go away.
2)White superficial onychomycosis:
- AKA White toenail fungus.
- This is a toenail fungus that is said to be up to 10% of all toenail fungus.
- Personally I don’t think it’s that high and it is highly over diagnosed.
- The tough part about the statistics is that there are microscopic amounts of fungus everywhere, and a biopsy will always usually show fungus.
3)White part of nail:
- The white part of the toenail is a normal portion of your tissue called the lunula.
- This is a normal portion of anatomy where the nail starts to grow.
- At the root of this is the nail germinal matrix.
4)White under the nails:
- White under the toenails and nails is usually dead or dying skin.
- This is usually debris or dirt.
- Bacteria and fungus can grow on this as well.
Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis) Treatment & Cure Options:

Best Keratin Granulation Products:
- These are our favorite products to treat toenail fungus at home.
- These can work great toe keratin granulations and white dehydrated toenails as well!
- Make sure you read the reviews and see if it is good for you!
How to fix toenail fungus & keratin granulations:
- There are many different types of toenail damage including keratin granulations and white superficial onychomycosis.
- In our experience, about 90% or more is related to toenail fungus.
- The key to toenail fungus is to trim it is much as possible, and file that nailed down.
- These products are not meant to replace prescription drugs or medical treatment equipment.
- If you are able to do that, you have to make sure you can kill fungus the rest of the way.
- The best way to do that is to soak exfoliate the affected toenail skin. So, consider foot soaks.
- At the same time you have to apply antifungal medication such as these medications recommended here, or the toenail repair pens










Best Toenail Fungus Clippers & Files:
- This is something you have to be careful using at home, and deftly don’t use these if you have dangerous health conditions.
- These are some great value heavy duty clippers and sets.
- The key is to cut straight across, and file the nail down from the top to keep it from impinging in the corners.
- It is also important to make sure all dead dry skin is removed surrounding the foot.
- This is where you should really see your podiatrist if you have any concerns or worried about cutting or hurting yourself.
- This is something covered, so don’t take chances with your health!






Best Toenail Fungus Polish and Remover:
- There are some great toenail fungus polish options and polish removal options.
- There are none acetone based toenail polish remover’s, they don’t dry as quickly, but they are less like a dehydrator toenail.
- This also applies for your fingernails and hands.
- The benefits of using these non-toxic toenail polishes are: they are filled with non-fungal options such as tea tree oil which prevent the spread of toenail fungus.
- These can also work well for the fingernails.
- So great combo is to use one of these healthier toenail paint options, as well as a non-acetone based toenail polish remover.








Best AntiFungal Moisture Wicking Socks:
- These are some great options for moisture wicking sucks.
- We tried to focus on budget value stocks that are not too expensive.
- Sure there are better stocks out there, but these are great socks for a great price for most people.
- If you are a diabetic focus on getting yourself some diabetic socks.
Best woman’s antifungal socks:








Best men’s antifungal socks:








Recommended foot fungus products:
- It is also very important to fix your foot fungus.
- Even if you cure your toenail fungus, keep your toenails trimmed in healthy: it is possible for your foot fungus to spread back into toenails.
- It’s not a far journey from skin fungus to jump onto your toenails again.
- So make sure you treat your foot fungus, as well as your toenail fungus.










Also Treat Athlete’s Foot Fungus:

- Once your toenails look better, it is also important to treat your foot fungus.
- Otherwise the fungus from your skin will go right back into your toenails.
Get The Best Shoes:
- You definitely want to get great shoes and sandals for your toenail fungus and foot fungus.
- Specifically when you are in a communal shower, or pool you want to get a good pair of sandals. We compiled a great list of our recommended orthotic flip-flops.
- You also want to get new breathable shoes, that are not covered in sweat and that have mesh around the toes.
- Specifically good pairs of running shoes have mesh where your toes are, this prevents your toenails from rubbing, and prevents them from dreaming on the front of the foot.
- Click on the below link to see which shoes we recommend for your toenail fungus and foot fungus.
Other causes:
- Another name for white spots on your toenails is called the Leukonychia.
- Leukonychia is a condition where there are white lines work that form on your fingernails or toenails.
- 95+ percent of time this is very common and harmless. But there’s always a chance that it can be something dangerous.
- This is nothing to worry about, and Leukonychia, it is likely not a fungus.
Most common causes:
- The most common cause of leukonychia is a minor injury to the nail bed.
- This is especially common if you bump or jam your toenail or fingernail.
- It is also possible for manicures and pedicures to cause a injury of white spots to the toenails due to gel or acrylic.
- This is likely due to the dehydration on top of your toenails. This is also known as keratin granulations. As noted above.

Causes of white spots on the toenails:
- The 95% most common cause is an nail injury which is superficial.
- Dehydration of the toenail.
- Fungal infection.
- Allergic reaction.
- Mineral deficiency.

White marks on toenails:
- White marks on the toenails are most commonly due to injury.
- This is nothing to worry about, the damage should go away relatively quickly!

White superficial onychomycosis toenail fungus:
- White superficial onychomycosis is the most common type of toenail fungus that can live on top of your toenails.
- This type of toenail fungus can be high risk for further growth into your toenails.
- If you do suspect fungus that is not related to removing toenail polish, make sure you treat this disease!

White patches or spots under the toenails:
- White patches or spots under the toenails can be due to injury.
- The way to know that this is due to an injury is because the white spot will extend with the toenail or the fingernail as it grows.
- Most people don’t remember when injury actually happened, because Apple long time ago.
- Your toe nail only grows 1 mm per month. So this could happen a very long time ago.
Toenails turning white by themselves:

- If your toenails are turning white all by themselves, consider superficial white onychomycosis. This can worsen to complete toenail fungus.
- Look at some of the toenail fungus treatments we recommend at the beginning of this guide!
Toenail Pain [Toenail Fungus, Ingrown Toenails, Discolored Toenails]
Let us know if this post helped with your white discoloration of your toenails, hope you feel better soon!