Discolored Toenails

Discolored toenails can be the result of a toenail fungus. Your toenails appear white, yellow or greenish. This can be very embarrassing and can prevent you from exposing your feet freely in the warm summer days. They even become thicker than usual and ragged. Toenail fungus is responsible for this condition in almost 90% cases.

Causes of a Discolored Toenail

Toenail Trauma
There can be several causes for discoloration of toenails. Although, the most common cause is the toenail fungus, discoloration can be caused by damage or injury to the toenail. A blow to the tip of the toe can cause bleeding and blackening under the nail. Collection of blood under the nails, hematoma, can make the toenails appear red or even black.

Poor Health
Another cause can be inadequate nutrition and ill health. Certain medical conditions also affect the appearance of the nails. Specific colors to the nails can be caused by liver, kidney or heart disorders. It can be suggestive of chronic medical conditions like diabetes or bronchitis, and that is the reason why doctors check the nail coloration during a routine physical examination.

Toenail Fungus
Discolored and thick toenails are a clear indication of a fungal infection. The common fungi that are present in the air, dust and soil, invade the toe nails and cause discoloration. There are many species of fungi which can affect the toenails, the most common being Trichophyton rubrum. It is known as a dermatophyte because of its tendency to infect the skin. The dermatophytes are yellow, mahogany brown or reddish in laboratory culture, however, they produce a yellow, brown or black color, when growing on the nail. A yellowish tinge is seen in the early stages of infection and the color develops as the fungus spreads and matures on the nail. The toenails can become flaky or distorted if the infection becomes too severe and is not treated properly.

Genetics
Discolored toenails can be associated with genetics. 'Yellow nail syndrome', which is an inherited condition, results in slow growth and discoloration of nails. It is related to 'lymphedema', in which accumulation of fluid causes swelling of tissues. A rare cause of nails appearing lightened or whitish yellow in color is onycholysis, which results from separation of the nail from the nail bed.

Discolored Toenail Prevention

Toenail discoloration can be easily prevented by these simple measures.

• Nail fungus has a tendency to grow in moist places like public showers, pools and gyms. Make sure to wear closed sandals at these places to avoid fungal infection.
• Keep your feet dry, as sweaty shoes can also act as breeding grounds for fungi. Wear thick absorbent socks if you sweat too much.
• Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight. They exert pressure on the toes and toenails, and may cause discoloration. Do not share footwear with others as this can spread the infection very easily.
• Avoid cutting your toenails too short as this can expose your feet to fungal invasion. Moreover, cutting the toenails too short may also increase the chance of toenails getting injured, resulting in discoloration.
• Consume a healthy diet, which is rich in all the necessary nutrients and maintain proper health.

Discolored Toenails Treatment

Discolored toenail is a condition many people tend to ignore. But the condition may worsen and can be difficult to treat if the infection becomes too severe. Hence it is very important to start the treatment as soon as you notice any discoloration of the toenail. If the discoloration is due to fungal infection, it requires to be treated with tropical antifungal medications. There are several products available in the market to effectively treat discolored toenails. However, the prescription drugs are quite expensive and many people go in for natural treatment, which includes the use of tea tree oil, lemon grass and vitamin E oils. Before you go for any toenail fungus treatment, make sure to clean the toenail surface, so that it will absorb the treatment easily. This can be done by soaking your feet in a mild detergent and then cleaning the debris under and around the sides of the nail using a nail file. Apply an antiseptic lotion once the area is scrubbed and filed and then start your tropical antifungal treatments.

This condition can turn nasty if not treated in the early stages. So, as soon as you see your toenails of a different color than normal, get them treated immediately. Take care!