The matrix-a layer of cells at the base of your fingernail-is in charge of building the nail. The most common cause: trauma to the nail or to the end of your finger right before your nail. In reality, there are several causes for the pesky dots-but few of them are problematic (and none point to a deficiency), she notes. Mom ever tell you those little white clouds on your nails were there because you didn’t drink enough milk? “People tend to think white spots are due to a systemic cause, like calcium deficiency,” says Chris Adigun, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and nail specialist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

What do changes at the tips of your fingers mean? We asked top dermatologists to explain eight weird things that can happen-and what each could signal about your health.

But at some point or another, we’ve probably all seen some strange things happen to our nails, like the appearance of white spots, brittleness, or funky tints. Fingernails: You don’t likely think much about ‘em unless you're picking out a polish color.