# White Spots in the Fingernails **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [May 31, 2007, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248 "2007-05-31T21:36:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/21 "2007-06-02T21:29:20Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] There is a study by the National Institute of Health (blind division) that shows the part zinc plays in loss of eyesight in the elderly. Will be glad to send an extensive summary to anyone that asks. [/QUOTE] There’s no need to go to so much trouble-just provide a link here. ---
**Author:** ![David\_G.Underhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@David\_G.Underhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_G.Underhill)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/22 "2007-06-02T21:29:34Z")
[QUOTE=lisacurl] I understood those little white marks on fingernails were due to injury to the cuticle during the nail development. [/QUOTE] I’ve read that too. That can happen, but white spots will continue to appear as new nail grows out until the basic cause is addressed. Zinc deficiency. ---
**Author:** ![David\_G.Underhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@David\_G.Underhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_G.Underhill)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/23 "2007-06-02T21:34:17Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] Why in the world would the psychiatric evaluation of all 31 students mention their penis sizes? [/QUOTE] It has to ADVERSLY affect a person’s psyche and in turn, ability to function mentally. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/24 "2007-06-02T21:35:22Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] It has to ADVERSLY affect a person’s psyche and in turn, ability to function mentally. [/QUOTE] So, what exactly do you have a doctorate in? ---
**Author:** ![David\_G.Underhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@David\_G.Underhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_G.Underhill)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/25 "2007-06-02T21:38:04Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] What are your medical qualifications? [/QUOTE] Zero! And I have totally avoided mentioning anything medical. I did visit Western States Chiropractic College seveal times. They do not deal in medicine but they have one hell of a lot of interesting books that are unfamiliar to the medical profession. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/26 "2007-06-02T21:38:40Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] It has to ADVERSLY affect a person’s psyche and in turn, ability to function mentally. [/QUOTE] I still have trouble believing school counselors inspect the penis sizes of their students. Would you please provide a cite for this unusual technique? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/27 "2007-06-02T21:39:53Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] Zero! And I have totally avoided mentioning anything medical. I did visit Western States Chiropractic College seveal times. They do not deal in medicine but they have one hell of a lot of interesting books that are unfamiliar to the medical profession. [/QUOTE] You have done nothing _but_ give medical advice. Do you have any educational degrees at all? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/28 "2007-06-02T21:40:07Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] It has to ADVERSLY affect a person’s psyche and in turn, ability to function mentally. [/QUOTE] So these students were post-puberty sexually active males? I’m not seeing how penis size is a mental health issue for pre-pubescent males. ---
**Author:** ![David\_G.Underhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@David\_G.Underhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_G.Underhill)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/29 "2007-06-02T21:40:31Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] There’s no need to go to so much trouble-just provide a link here. [/QUOTE] I no longer have the link, but do have the comprehensive summary. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/30 "2007-06-02T21:41:39Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] Zero! And I have totally avoided mentioning anything medical. I did visit Western States Chiropractic College seveal times. They do not deal in medicine but they have one hell of a lot of interesting books that are unfamiliar to the medical profession. [/QUOTE] And I’ve visited Disneyland 23 times-this doesn’t make me Michael Eisner. Would you mind providing the names of these books that are unfamiliar to the medical profession? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/31 "2007-06-02T21:42:44Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] I no longer have the link, but do have the comprehensive summary. [/QUOTE] Would this be your summary or someone else’s, and is this summary available on the internet? ---
**Author:** ![David\_G.Underhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@David\_G.Underhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_G.Underhill)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/32 "2007-06-02T21:44:19Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] So these students were post-puberty sexually active males? I’m not seeing how penis size is a mental health issue for pre-pubescent males. [/QUOTE] Literature says small penis results from zinc deficiency at pubetry. Zinc deficiency can impact on “berhavioral disturbances” and “depressed mental funtion.” That draw the attention of teachers and on down the line. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/33 "2007-06-02T21:45:12Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] Literature says small penis results from zinc deficiency at pubetry. Zinc deficiency can impact on “berhavioral disturbances” and “depressed mental funtion.” That draw the attention of teachers and on down the line. [/QUOTE] What literature? Cite? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/34 "2007-06-02T21:46:30Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] Literature says small penis results from zinc deficiency at pubetry. Zinc deficiency can impact on “berhavioral disturbances” and “depressed mental funtion.” That draw the attention of teachers and on down the line. [/QUOTE] I was specifically addressing the students you cited, who were examined by a psychiatrist for penis size abnormalities. Were they prepubescent or post-pubescent? ---
**Author:** ![David\_G.Underhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@David\_G.Underhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_G.Underhill)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/35 "2007-06-02T21:47:15Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] What caused you to conclude that it was the zinc that cured your skin problem and your dandruff? [/QUOTE] I wrote a paper on the cure for most skin problems that was published in a Mensa Magazine. Would be happy to post it if any interest. It cured two of the worst cases of acne that I have every seen. Noting medical! Only nutritional. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/36 "2007-06-02T21:48:42Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] I wrote a paper on the cure for most skin problems that was published in a Mensa Magazine. Would be happy to post it if any interest. It cured two of the worst cases of acne that I have every seen. Noting medical! Only nutritional. [/QUOTE] Have you written anything that has been published in a peer-reviewed periodical? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/37 "2007-06-02T21:48:43Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] I wrote a paper on the cure for most skin problems that was published in a Mensa Magazine. Would be happy to post it if any interest. [/QUOTE] I am interested. Especially in your methodology. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/38 "2007-06-02T21:50:44Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] I wrote a paper on the cure for most skin problems that was published in a Mensa Magazine. Would be happy to post it if any interest. It cured two of the worst cases of acne that I have every seen. Noting medical! Only nutritional. [/QUOTE] It would be better if you would just provide a link to the article instead of posting the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/39 "2007-06-02T21:57:54Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] By the way, it takes a little more than a descent SAT score to qualify for Mensa. It takes the 98th percentile. By the way, I was recognized BIG TIME when I was appointed Chief of Admin in General Douglas MacArthur’s old office at the UN Command in Tokyo at the ripe old age of 21 with four years of servce behind me. It called for two grades higher than the grade I held. I’ll post what he had to say on Youth and Age. It is something to live by. [/QUOTE] How does this appointment qualify you to speak on this issue? ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2007, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248/40 "2007-06-02T22:06:14Z")
[QUOTE=David G. Underhill] I wrote a paper on the cure for most skin problems that was published in a Mensa Magazine. Would be happy to post it if any interest. It cured two of the worst cases of acne that I have every seen. Noting medical! Only nutritional. [/QUOTE] I don’t think Mensa Magazine is a medical journal. How do you know that the zinc is what cured the acne? Have there been any clinical trials to show that? I’m also amused at the thought of guidance counselors and psychiatrists going around checking penis sizes. Interesting concept! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-spots-in-the-fingernails/406248.md?page=3)