What is the term for a nail that develops a white spot due to trauma?

The term for a nail that develops a white spot due to trauma is leukonychia. This condition occurs when the nail matrix is damaged, often from physical injuries or trauma to the nail area, leading to the appearance of white spots or lines on the nail surface. These white marks may remain as the nail grows out, indicating the spot where the trauma occurred.

Leukonychia can manifest in various forms, such as partial or total white discoloration of the nails, but the white spots specifically indicate localized trauma rather than systemic causes or infections, which distinguishes it from other conditions. For instance, the other terms refer to different nail issues: onycholysis is separation of the nail from the nail bed, paronychia is an infection of the skin surrounding the nail, and onychomycosis refers to a fungal infection of the nail. Each of these conditions has distinct causes and symptoms, making leukonychia the correct answer for a nail that has developed a white spot specifically due to trauma.