What does a discolored toenail mean?

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.

How do you treat discolored toenails?

The only way to get rid of nail polish-related discoloration is to take a break from painting your nails. Even a break of just two or three weeks can resolve the issue.

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 can your toenails tell you about your health?

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 a fungus toenail look like?

Nail fungus can cause the nail to become thick or ragged and appear yellow, green, brown or black. An infected nail may separate from the nail bed. Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail.

Tell-nail Signs of Your Health

What kills toenail fungus fast?

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.

What do Covid toes look like?

COVID toes: One or more toes may swell and turn pink, red, or a purplish color. Others may see a small amount of pus under their skin. Sometimes, people who have COVID toes have other symptoms of COVID-19.

What are signs of diabetic feet?

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 causes toenails to turn dark?

Black Toenail: Common Causes

If your toenail turns black, it's most likely a bruise under the nail, technically called a subungual hematoma. You can get it from stubbing a toe or from footwear that cram your feet into the front of the shoe.

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.

Why is only my big toenail yellow?

Infection. One of the most common causes of yellow toenails in an infection by a fungus that attacks the nails. This is called onychomycosis, and it happens more in adults than children. It can lead the nail to turn yellow, have yellow spots, white patches, or even turn black.

How do you treat discolored toenails at home?

Vinegar is an antifungal ingredient that can be mixed with water to create a foot soak. It's acetic acid component helps to whiten discolored toenails and stop the spread of the infection to other toes. Try two parts vinegar to one part warm water and soak feet for 20 minutes daily.

Why are my toenails thick and discolored?

Thick yellow toenails are usually caused by a fungal infection called onychomycosis. This can be irritating or painful. It's less common, but the infection can affect your fingernails as well. Thick yellow toenails can be prevented by taking certain precautions.

Can diabetes cause toenail discoloration?

Diabetes. People with diabetes are more vulnerable to fungal infections than the general population, so toenail discoloration can be a warning sign of the condition or a complication in someone with a confirmed diagnosis. Poor circulation and reduced sensation in the feet often accompany diabetes.

What are 10 warning signs of diabetes?

What are the 3 most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes?

The three most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes include increased thirst, increased urination, and increased hunger. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that happens when blood sugar (glucose) is too high (hyperglycemia).

Why can't diabetics cut toenails?

Diabetes are more prone to infection, and fungi and bacteria can transfer from clipping or foot care tools to any open wounds.

What does COVID-19 toes mean?

What Are COVID Toes? There are a number of symptoms that are associated with the COVID toes phenomenon. Typically, the condition presents as toes that are painful and swollen, and covered with reddish or purple lesions or bumps. Sometimes these lesions can appear on the soles of your feet as well.

Can COVID affect your toes?

What Are the Symptoms of COVID Toes? The skin on one or more of your toes or fingers may swell up and look bright red, then gradually turn purple. Skin of color can look swollen and purple, and brownish-purple spots may appear.

Does COVID-19 affect the feet?

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused wide-reaching changes, including the temporary closure of some schools, as well as gyms, salons, bars, restaurants and other businesses. In addition, many people have transitioned to working from home. These changes affect many elements of your health, including how you use your feet.

Should I cut off my fungus toenail?

If you do have a toenail fungus, your doctor will likely recommend one or more of the following treatment options: Trimming the Toenail Trimming the toenail is usually combined with medication, but having a podiatrist periodically trim the nail down is helpful and allows the medication to work better, says Sundling.

Can toenail fungus go away on its own?

Fungal infections of the toenails — also known as onychomycosis — don't go away on their own, and if left untreated, the fungus will spread and can eventually destroy the nail.

What is the fastest home remedy for toenail fungus?