Causes of Nail Discoloration Dirt, poor hygiene, and living in a humid area are all causes of a fungal infection in your toenails. Fungal toenail infections can cause discoloration, making your nail appear any of these colors: Yellow. Red-brown.
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When should I be concerned about discolored toenails?
Most cases of yellow toenails are caused by a fungal infection that’s treatable. If you notice that your nails are turning yellow — and especially if you have any other issues like a change in shape or thickness or any bleeding, discharge, pain, or swelling — you should see your doctor.
What do you do when your toenail is discolored?
When toenails turn yellow, a fungus is usually to blame. This type of fungal infection is so common that you might not even need to see a doctor for treatment. Try an over-the-counter antifungal cream. If your nail is yellow and thick, gently file down the surface so that the drug can reach deeper layers.
What color is toenail fungus?
Nail fungus is a common infection of the nail. It begins as a white or yellow-brown spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, the nail may discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. Nail fungus can affect several nails.
What your toenails are telling you?
Yellow Toenails
Your toenails tell a lot about your overall health. A fungal infection often causes thickened yellow toenails. Thick, yellow nails also can be a sign of an underlying disease, including lymphedema (swelling related to the lymphatic system), lung problems, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
What does melanoma look like under the toenail?
Subungual melanoma often starts as a brown or black streak under a toenail or fingernail. A person may mistake it for a bruise. The main symptoms of subungual melanoma include: brown or black streaks in the nail without any known injury.
What causes darkening of the toenails?
Toenail fungus is a common infection of the toenails. Also known as onychomycosis, it can cause the toenail to discolor and thicken. As it is contagious, it often starts in one toenail and spreads to several others. Fungal nail infections can occur in anyone and result from many different types of fungi.
How do you treat discolored toenails at home?
Vinegar is an antifungal ingredient that can be mixed with water to create a foot soak. Its acetic acid component helps to whiten discolored toenails and stop the spread of the infection to other toes. Try one part vinegar to two parts warm water and soak feet for 20 minutes daily.
Does diabetes affect toenails?
People with diabetes are more likely than those without diabetes to get a fungal infection called onychomycosis. This infection usually affects the toenails. The nails will turn yellow and become brittle.
What does toenail fungus look like in the early stages?
The Earliest Signs of a Fungal Toenail Infection
Unusual white or yellow streaks or spots in the nail. Crumbling along the edges or tips of the nail, particularly where it’s discolored. Flaking of the nail in certain areas. Increasing distortion of nail shape.
What happens if you leave toenail fungus untreated?
If you have toenail fungus and it goes untreated, you may experience: Pain in your feet and toes due to thickened, distorted toenails. Spread of the fungus to your skin, causing athlete’s foot. Infection of the surrounding areas, causing cracked skin, and increasing bacterial spread.
Can toenail fungus go away on its own?
Though it would be convenient, toenail fungus simply won’t resolve on its own. That’s because your toenails are made of multiple layers, and the fungus can spread into and in between those layers, as well as underneath your nail. Without proper treatment, the fungus gets worse and can also infect your other toes.
Can your feet show signs of heart problems?
Here are some signs relating to the legs and feet that may be a sign of heart disease: Absent hair growth on the feet. Dry, thinning, and/or shiny skin on your legs and feet.
What does the color of your toenails say about your health?
A healthy toenail is a shade of pale pink, much like your fingernail. Any yellowing or tinges of black color means something is not right. For example, if your toenails become yellow, you probably have a fungal infection. Yellowing can also be the result of smoking or a side effect of diabetes or a liver condition.
What do Covid toes look like?
In skin of color, COVID toes can cause a purplish discoloration, as the toe circled in red shows. You may also see swelling and round brownish purple spots (B). What you may see with COVID toes: The condition may develop on your toes, fingers, or both.
What does Stage 1 melanoma look like?
Stage IA Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is less than 1.0 millimeter thick (less than the size of a sharpened pencil point) with or without ulceration (broken skin) when viewed under the microscope. Stage IB Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is more than 1.0 millimeter and less than 2.0 millimeters thick without ulceration.
How can you tell the difference between toenail fungus and melanoma?
If you have nail fungus, some symptoms that differentiate from melanoma include: thickened nail bed. white, yellow, or greenish discoloration.
How can you tell if a nail is melanoma?
When checking your nails for melanoma, dermatologists recommend looking for the following changes: A dark streak. This may look like a brown or black band in the nail — often on the thumb or big toe of your dominant hand or foot. However, this dark streak can show up on any nail.
Can nails indicate health problems?
Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.
Can diabetes cause your toenails to turn black?
The first toenail change you’ll notice in diabetic patients is likely to be discoloration. Most have some yellowing of the nails, though the shade and involvement can vary. Discoloring may start at the distal edge (tip), and run all the way to the root of the nail bed.
Why is my toenail brown and thick?
Toenails that grow thicker over time likely indicate a fungal infection, also known as onychomycosis. Left untreated, thick toenails can become painful. Prompt treatment can be key to curing the nail fungus. Fungal infections might be difficult to cure and may require months of treatment.