8 Toenail Conditions You Should Know About

Surprisingly, our toenails can be accurate indicators of our health and foot care habits. A healthy toenail is typically smooth, pinkish, and free from significant discoloration or thickening. But what happens when you look down and see something different? Recognizing the unique types of toenail problems is the first step towards helping us at Goldsmith Podiatry address them effectively.

Nail Fungus

AKA onychomycosis, this infection is caused by yeasts and molds and can lead to a thickening or discoloration of the nail, which may turn yellow, white, brown, or even black.

The nail can also become brittle, crumbly, and separate from the nail bed if you don’t treat it in time. Poor foot hygiene, trauma to the nail, and a weakened immune system are all culprits here.

Ingrown Toenail

If you don’t trim your nails correctly, wear tight footwear, or have recently dropped something heavy on your toe, you may develop an ingrown toenail. This occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and potentially leading to infection.

Onycholysis

This refers to the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, which can be partial or complete, resulting in a white, yellow, or greenish discoloration under the detached portion. Causes can range from trauma and fungal infections to psoriasis, allergic reactions, and certain systemic diseases.

Ram’s Horn Nail

This involves a significant thickening and increased curvature of the toenail, often resembling a ram's horn. It typically affects the big toe and is often associated with trauma, neglect, poor circulation, or aging.

Nail Discoloration

Changes in nail color can also signal problems. Leukonychia presents as white spots or lines on the nail, often caused by minor trauma to the nail matrix.

Melanonychia, on the other hand, appears as dark lines running along the length of the nail and can be caused by trauma, fungal infections, or, in rare cases, skin cancer (particularly melanoma).

Other colors, such as red or purple discoloration, can signal blood under the nail from trauma.

Brittle Nails

This is a very common complaint, where toenails become dry, weak, and prone to splitting or breaking easily. While many factors can contribute (like frequent exposure to water or harsh chemicals), deficiencies in biotin (vitamin B7) and iron are often implicated.

Nail Pitting

Finally, changes in the nail surface, such as pitting (small depressions) or increased brittleness, can be indicative of underlying conditions like psoriasis or eczema.

Paronychia

Though rare, this infection of the skin folds surrounding the nail is worth mentioning. It can be acute, often caused by bacteria entering through a break in the skin, or chronic, sometimes linked to yeast or other irritants.

Start today. Your feet will thank you tomorrow. For more advice when it comes to your foot health and wellness, give us a call at (212) 877-1002 so Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina T. Ruff at Goldsmith Podiatry can help alleviate any podiatric problems you’re facing.