Deformed Toenails

Deformed toenails are those that may be characterized as being bluish, yellow or black in color, ridged at places and sometimes with several cuts that give them the characteristic feel of being deformed. A person may suffer from a deformity in a single toenail or several toenails at any given point of time. While deformed toenails are usually caused by a fungal infection, there are several other reasons that can lead to it as well. In this following article, we will get into the details of this condition; understand its causes and the treatment methods that are used for the same.

Causes

The degree of the toenail damage can vary from person to person, but the fact stands true that it is a cause of embarrassment for all who suffer from this condition. What causes a toenail deformation? Let us get to that issue in this section.

Fungal Infection
More often than not, this condition is caused by the affliction of a toenail fungus. The fungus (Onychomycosis) affects toenails more easily than it affects any other body part, given the location. It thrives in conditions that are dark, moist and warm. The fungus lives on the dead cells of the nails and breaks down the keratin (a kind of protein) for nutrition. It will affect the nails and the skin, but will not pass on into the bloodstream. In most cases, it starts off at the tip of the nail and then starts turning in towards the cuticle. This fungus can be easily identified because along with the nail(s), leading to the yellowing and causing the skin under the nail to flake off, it will also affect the webs between the toenails and lead to the flaking of skin as well. In its initial stages, it tends not to be painful, but as the time progresses, the infection can get worse and cause pain as it starts to spread to other nails, or affects the skin surrounding the nail. If not treated on time, the entire nail will be affected causing the dryness and flakiness to take over the entire nail. It might also detach itself from the underlying nail bed and result in the toenail falling off. Or it can even cause thickening of the nail(s) such that it can brush against the footwear and cause pain.

Injury and Trauma
Sometimes trauma and injury to the nail can also cause a deformity to occur. This occurs when a heavy object falls on the nail, or the nail gets crushed by getting caught between two doors, for example. This causes damage to the nail root. If the trauma is too severe, it can lead to permanent damage and cause the nail to continue forming that way, even though the injury might have healed. The trauma could also lead to the clotting of blood and lead to an infected toenail.

Other Causes
There are certain other causes of deformed toenails that are important to mention as well. These include:

• Hereditary and genetic conditions
• Growth of bone spurs
• As a side effect of psoriasis
• Underlying diseases

Given the range of causes that can lead to a deformed toenail, a diagnosis has to be done so that the direction of treatment can be undertaken. A diagnosis is done by scrapping the nail surface and the flakes are then studied. This is especially helpful when it comes to determining traces of a fungal infection or an underlying disease.

Treatment

A deformed toenail should be treated as soon as possible so that it does not escalate into a permanent condition. What are some of the treatment forms that can be used?

• Starting out with an over-the-counter medication cream to prevent the growth of and/or kill the existing fungi is the first step that is taken.
• Keeping the feet absolutely clean and dry is absolutely necessary. In that way, scrubbing and patting them dry, as well as trimming the nails is imperative.
• Wear open sandals and cotton socks so that the area surrounding the toes does not become sweaty and prone to developing fungal infections.
• Women should avoid wearing high heels as well as closed shoes that put a lot of pressure on the toes. These might give rise to deformed toenails.
• In case of any underlying diseases, the root cause has to be treated and only then will a solution for this condition be found.
• In extreme cases, the doctor might suggest a surgery to completely sever the toenail so that further damage can be curbed.

While in most cases the deformed toenail is caused due to a fungal infection and if treated in time, permanent damage can be curbed, there are other causes as well that need to be diagnosed soon enough and the treatment for it should be undertaken immediately. It is possible to treat this condition if proper action is taken early on.