The color and texture of your toenails can indicate problems such as nutritional deficiencies, systemic diseases such as diabetes, and bacterial and fungal toenail infections. Signs of many problems often show up in your extremities first, so your toenail condition should be monitored regularly.
Toenail changes that may indicate other health issues include:
- Dark or white stripes across the toenail—Having dark stripes across your toenails may be an indication of skin cancer that grows in the nail bed. White stripes, on the other hand, can be a sign of liver disease, poor nutrition, or low protein levels.
- Thick and brittle toenails—Toenails can become thickened and brittle from exposure to harsh chemicals such as cleaners and the acetone in nail polish removers. A thickened and yellowing toenail may be a sign of a fungal toenail infection, psoriasis, or a thyroid disorder.
- Yellow, green or black toenails—Overuse of harsh nail polishes and removers can cause discoloration of the toenail. If your toenails look green or black, it may be the result of an injury to the toe or of a microbial infection. Sometimes antibiotics can have the side effect of causing discoloration in the toenails.
If you notice that the color and texture of your toenails is troubling, be sure to have your foot doctor examine them to determine the cause and proper treatment. The foot specialists at ETL Podiatry in Briarwood and Melville, NY, have unparalleled experience in treating all aspects of foot and ankle problems. Our team of doctors is dedicated to serving you with all of the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Melville, NY (631)-549-8637 and Briarwood, NY (718)-657-8921.
