Why do toenails turn brown?

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.
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How do you get rid of brown 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.
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How do you get rid of brown 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.
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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.
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What does your toenails say 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.
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Tell-nail Signs of Your Health



Why are my toenails Brown after removing polish?

They absorb a great deal of chemicals that are found in nail polish. In fact, they are even more permeable than skin. It is for this reason that when toenails are left painted for long periods of time and then the polish is removed, the nails are left with a yellowed, chalky, stained appearance and are brittle and dry.
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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.
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How can I get my toenails white?

How to whiten nails? 9 home remedies you can use to get rid of yellow nails and whiten them at home
  1. Use denture cleaner. ...
  2. Use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. ...
  3. Use lemon juice and soapy water. ...
  4. Use white vinegar. ...
  5. Scrub your nails. ...
  6. Use baking soda paste. ...
  7. Rub lemon juice. ...
  8. Use lemon juice and baking soda paste.
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How do you get healthy toenails?

10 Tips For Growing Healthy Toenails
  1. Daily Cleansing. ...
  2. Moisturize. ...
  3. Frequent Trimming. ...
  4. Filing. ...
  5. Toenail Friendly Diet. ...
  6. Wearing Proper Shoes and Socks. ...
  7. Occasional Massage. ...
  8. Treat Yourself To Foot Soaks.
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Why are my toenails discolored?

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.
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Why do toenails get thick?

Toenails can thicken as a result of sudden or repeated trauma or injury. Mostly, this happens to people involved in sport or exercise, such as soccer players, runners, and dancers. It can also affect people who wear ill-fitting shoes. Often, thick nails due to injury are mistaken for fungal infections.
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What kills toenail fungus fast?

Medications
  • Oral antifungal drugs. These drugs are often the first choice because they clear the infection more quickly than do topical drugs. ...
  • Medicated nail polish. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal nail polish called ciclopirox (Penlac). ...
  • Medicated nail cream.
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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.
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How do I know if toenail fungus is dying?

Top 5 signs your toenail fungus has gone nuclear
  1. Nail color changes. If your nail turns white and chalky or yellow, it's not a good sign. ...
  2. Nail position changes. If your nail starts to curl downward or upward, it's time to be concerned. ...
  3. Nail texture changes. ...
  4. Nail smell changes. ...
  5. Nail sensation changes.
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How do you fix toenail discoloration from nail polish?

Easing the stain

Dr. Rowland advises applying vitamin E oil or coconut oil to the nail and the nail bed — underneath the nail where it meets the skin — and gently rubbing it in when you do not have nail polish on.
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How do I keep my toenails healthy as I age?

How to keep your toenails looking great as you get older
  1. Look for irregularities. Take a good look at your feet and see if you notice any changes. ...
  2. Stay warm and dry. ...
  3. Cut toenails properly. ...
  4. Keep elevated. ...
  5. Avoid nail polish. ...
  6. Use lemon. ...
  7. Treat your toenail fungus with mouthwash. ...
  8. Take a walk.
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What is the number one cure for toenail fungus?

The best pill for toenail fungus is terbinafine. Evidence suggests it works better than the alternatives with the fewest side effects. Terbinafine results in resolution of toenail fungus 76% of the time. Common side effects may include headaches, skin rash, and vomiting.
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Does toenail fungus grow out?

What is the outcome for someone who has nail fungus? With treatment, many people can get rid of nail fungus. Even when the fungus clears, your nail(s) may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. A fingernail grows out in 4 to 6 months and a toenail in 12 to 18 months.
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How did I get nail fungus?

Many people pick up the fungi when they have skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection such as athlete's foot or ringworm on their hands. Another common way to get a fungal nail infection is by walking barefoot in a warm, moist area such as a pool deck or locker room.
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What does toe fungus look like when it starts?

The earliest signs include: Unusual white or yellow streaks or spots in the nail. Crumbling along the edges or tips of the nail, particularly where it's discolored. Flaking of the nail in certain areas.
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What is the fastest home remedy for toenail fungus?

Here are six of the best natural remedies:
  1. White Vinegar. White vinegar other wise known as Acetic Acid can help eliminate fungus when diluted in lukewarm water. ...
  2. Listerine and White Vinegar. ...
  3. Tea Tree Oil. ...
  4. Urea Paste. ...
  5. Pau D'arco Tea. ...
  6. Vicks VapoRub. ...
  7. Time.
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Can toenail fungus be cured?

Treatment. Fungal nail infections can be difficult to cure, and they typically don't go away without antifungal treatment. The best treatment for a fungal nail infection is usually prescription antifungal pills taken by mouth. In severe cases, a doctor might remove the nail completely.
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Are thick toenails always fungus?

It is natural for toenails to get thicker with age, but thick toenails may be caused by other factors, including fungal infections, autoimmune conditions, or mechanical stresses, such as from poorly fitting shoes.
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What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?

In medical terms this is called onychomycosis or tinea unguium,” says Batra. The fungal infection breaks down the keratin in the nail to form a white or yellow chalky substance under the nail plate. "As keratin debris spreads under the nail, the nail plate typically becomes lifted up off of the nail bed.
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What does Vicks VapoRub do for toenails?

Vicks VapoRub

Although designed for cough suppression, its active ingredients (camphor and eucalyptus oil) may help treat toenail fungus. A 2011 study found that Vicks VapoRub had a “positive clinical effect” in the treatment of toenail fungus.
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