Systemic diseases such as anaemia, shock, Raynaud’s syndrome, cirrhosis and liver failure, and nephrotic syndrome can discolour the nail bed and make the nail white with a normal nail plate.
Pitting white nails can be seen in normal individuals or with minor localised trauma.
Linear white nails can be seen in trauma or niacin deficiency, but may also be seen in follicular keratosis, acute arsenic or thallium poisoning.
Full white nails may be inherited or may be seen in dermatological conditions such as nail fungus.