what are the white pots on our nails?
408623
a sign of calcium deficiency
561917
Not just genetics, though. Longitudinal ridges (running in the same direction that the nail grows) are often genetic and normal; transverse ridges can be caused by periods of (serious, and usually protracted) illness or (serious)malnutrition. If transverse ridges are due to these factors, most or all of the nails should be involved at the same time.
521179
It is most likely fungus. Some of those fungal infections are very hard to get rid of. The fungus just lives there, on your feet, in your nails.
801999
It sounds like calcium deposits to me. If that is the case, you just have to let your fingernails grow. Cut them like you normally would until the white spots get far enough uot to cut them off
380517
This can also be a zinc deficiency. No matter what kind of deficency it is, just take a good multivitamin.\n\n Make sure that you take a good multivitamin, and in a few weeks check the tops of your nails again, as it takes a few weeks for the nails to grow out.\n\nIf you're still having problems after a few weeks/months with your nails go to your doctor about it, and he can help you with it. \n\nBut it's probably just a nutritional thing.
93042
can also indicate lead posioning. do you have any blueness around your finger nails? if so go to a doctor soon, like yesterday
624094
Feet are bumped, banged, stepped on, and smushed more often as they are on the ground and used for transportation.  Nails (on fingers and toes) are protective devices (the way a helmet is used to protect your head).  Makes sense for toenails to be thicker and stronger, because feet take more abuse in general.
665493
big nails about 6in long and about 5&#92;8in square
635499
Our fingernails are similar to claws or hooves found in other\nanimals. More generally called “digital appendages”, they are enlarged\nkeratinized structures (the same stuff that horns are made out of)\nthat protect the tips of the fingers and toes in most vertebrate\nspecies, or aminals with backbones. Fingernails are broad, and\nslightly curved, and mostly cover the top surface of our fingers.\n\nIn other species, this structure is slightly different - for example,\ncrocodiles have a thimble-shaped structure that covers the whole tip\nof their digits, whereas hawks and owls have talons, highly recurved\nclaws specialized for prey capture, and horses and cows have hooves\nthat protect their feet.\n\nSo, the reason we have fingernails is simply that everyone in our\nfamily tree has some sort of digital appendage that probably served to\nprotect fingertips in our distant ancestors, and each group has\nevolved modifications that best fit their needs for a particular\nenvironment. Fingernails in monkeys, apes and humans always cover only\none side of the fingertip and thus they protect but don’t limit the\nmotion or sensitivity of our fingertips."\nhttp://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/ask/?quid=448\n\nAlso see:\n\n"Only primates evolved finger and toenails, probably to provide better\ngrip on tree trunks and branches.\n\nRoland Ennos and his team at the University of Manchester, UK,\nwondered what gave the nail its structural properties. He says, "I\nhave always been a bit of a nail-biter, and I noticed that whenever\nyou bite your nails, they never break into the quick of your skin. And\nfor a material, that's very, very unusual." So Ennos's team armed with\nspecial scissors and tweezers, tore and cut nails, and studied them\nunder a scanning electron microscope."\nhttp://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18124332.600\n\nThank you for your question, and if you need any clarification of my\nanswer, do not hesitate to ask prior to rating my answer.\n\nVery best regards
1147894
Fingernails and Toenails are made from... hair! They are there to protect the sensitive nail bed underneath them. (Ever cut your nails too short... it hurts right? That nail bed isn't being protected like it should anymore!) Also, humans are animals, whether we like it or not, and most animals have nails to help them dig! Don't forget we used to not have grocery stores and such back in the stone age!
202752
Alfalfa.  If you look at the roots, you can see the white nodes
92385
Contrary to popular belief, white spots on fingernails aren't caused by a calcium deficiency. They can indicate other problems, however, but that's not the usual scenario.\n\nLeukonychia (the medical term for white spots on fingernails) is usually caused by blunt trauma to the nail bed, like a knock or a blow. They can appear slowly over time and stay there for months since nails grow so slowly.\n\nOther causes include a rough manicure, a slight allergic reaction to enamels or other nail products, or a mild bacterial or fungal infection.\n\nIn general, they're harmless and dissapear with time. You really only need to worry if your nail turns completely white. That could be a symptom of liver disease and you should see a doctor.
429750
White marks on the fingernails are called Leukonychia. The majority of them are caused by minor injuries to the forming nail under the skin. Even a relatively minor bump can leave a mark that stays with the nail until it grows out.\n\nIf you have a large number of white marks persistently for months, you MAY have a zinc deficiency. See your doctor for a checkup and be sure to ask.
907508
many health conditions are reflected by nail changes...what you describe sounds like a result of trauma.
75801
A hangnail  is a small, loose strip of torn skin near a fingernail or toenail. Hangnails are usually caused by dry skin or (in the case of fingernails) nail biting, \nand may be prevented with proper moisturization of the skin\nlack of protein, folic acid, and vitamin C can cause hang-nails.
713191
Sometimes it's related to nutrition, sometimes to stress (called Beau's lines, I believe), sometimes to external wear such as buffing or filing. \n\nAre your nails healthy looking or are they yellow or green? Lifting in places? These would indicate fungus.\n\nHave you changed your supplements in the past few months? \nPeople sometimes  get a ridge when  start loading on biotin after taking a break (forgetting) for a few months. Have you been buffing them lately? If you are, that would be my first guess unless they're yellow or green.\n\nOTHER CHANGES TO MAKE  HEALTHY NAILS\n\n- drink pure, clean water (6-8 glasses a day)\n- avoid drinking alcohol\n- avoid saturated fats and fried foods they stress the liver\n- eat high fiber diet (brown rice,millet , and legumes are good)\n- make sure to get vitamin A, C, and E - try a good quality multi vit/mineral supplement\n- reduced sugar, candy, etc...\n- avoid caffeine, hydrogenated oils, fried foods, meat, soft drinks\n- reduce dairy products in your diet\n- for healthy nails make sure you are getting enough protein\n- keep nails shorter \n- do not cut your cuticles
1027302
I don't know what ridges are, sorry.\nBut I just looked at my fingernails and I see these lines going vertically