Discolored Toenail

A discolored toenail usually means that something is wrong, and unless you have another obvious explanation, you should consider the possibility that you have a fungal nail infection. Other possible explanations would include a recent blow to the tip of the toe, causing bleeding and blackening under the nail, bacterial growth beneath the nail (often a green color), continuous use of nail polish on the nail, or some other uncommon medical condition. The problem, however, is usually fungus.

Fungi are capable of producing many colors, and the species that invade nails and cause a discolored toenail are no exception. In laboratory culture, the so-called dermatophytes are predominantly yellow, mahogany brown, or reddish, while saprophytic fungi that invade nails are often green, black or brown, or colorless. Though these fungi may not exhibit exactly the same characteristics when growing on a nail, they do often produce a yellow, brown or even black color. It generally starts out as a slight yellowish tinge to the nail, or even a white spot, but color develops more fully as the fungus begins to spread and mature.

In an advanced fungal nail infection, a discolored toenail is a minor symptom compared to the thick flaky distorted appearance of the nail and the discomfort of fungal spread to the skin of the toes. Once a nail infection has gone this far, it will be difficult to treat, and even with proper treatment it will probably take a long time to clear up. If you notice a discolored toenail, it's best to take care of it right away. See your doctor to confirm that treatment for fungus is a sensible approach, and begin treatment immediately.

A fungal nail infection is easier to treat in its early stages. In lieu of expensive prescription drugs, many people choose a natural topical remedy. Some of the best contain tea tree oil, an essential oil of the tea tree that has been shown to have antifungal properties. Other natural remedies include an oral herbal treatment to aid the topical preparation, and there are many folk remedies for the condition as well.

The biggest challenge for any topical preparation is penetration of the nail so that the treatment can contact, and kill, the fungus. A thin discolored toenail in the early stages of infection will be more easily penetrated than a thick distorted toenail with advanced fungal growth – so treat your fungal nail infection now, before it gets worse.

Toenail Conditions

Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is the most common of the toenail conditions, and arguably the most repugnant. In onychomycosis, a fungus gains access to the protected area under the nail and begins to grow, drawing nutrients from the nail itself and spreading through the matrix of the nail. Toenails turn various shades of yellow, brown and black, and become crumbly. Untreated, the fungus can spread to other nails of both the hands and feet, and even to the skin surrounding the infected nail. Fungal infections of the toenails not only look bad, they are particularly distressing because no one wants to think that a fungus is growing on some part of their body.

Though Onychomycosis is the most common of the known toenail disorders, it is certainly not the only one. If there is something wrong with one, or all, of your toenails, you would be wise to see your doctor before trying to treat yourself. It might be something insignificant and more easily treated, or it might be one of the more serious toenail conditions that require immediate medical attention.

Bacterial growth on the nails is sometimes mistaken for fungal toenail disorders. Though the bacteria usually are not causing an infection, they can get into cavities under the surface of a nail and begin to multiply. The nail often looks quite unusual and may be discolored. If infection is present, there will be redness, swelling, pain, and discharge from the site. Bacterial colonization, though unattractive, is not a medically important toenail condition, but infection should be given prompt medical attention.

Injury to the root of the nail is another of the toenail conditions that can be mistaken for onychomycosis. If there is a blow to the root of the nail, where it is formed under the skin, there is often permanent damage that causes the nail to appear deformed. Because the cells that manufacture the nail are permanently damaged, the nail will never look normal again, but it is not infected. Temporary signs of damage to the nail include white spots that move out toward the tip as the nail grows and black areas caused by bleeding under the nail. Many people also have ridges running along the nail lengthwise, which never go away but are harmless.

Other types of toenail disorders are rare, but they can cause considerable discomfort and embarrassment to those that suffer from them. Some are hereditary. Again, it is wise to consult a health professional before starting any kind of treatment for a toenail condition to ensure that it is treated correctly.

Deformed Toenail

A deformed toenail is always a disturbing embarrassment, although it is usually much more obvious to the person who has it than it is to others. Sometimes an ugly toenail can be treated and restored to its former appearance. Sometimes the damage is permanent and the nail will continue to grow abnormally forever.

The most common cause of a deformed toenail is fungal infection. Fungal toenail infections are extremely common in many parts of the world. They are also difficult to treat. Fungal infection of toenails, hair, and skin, are different from other types of superficial infections that people get because the fungi are growing on dead tissue. Fingernails, toenails, hair, and the outer layer of human skin are not composed of living cells - they have no nerve endings, no blood supply, and no cellular immunity to invading microorganisms. Fungi live on them, breaking down keratin, a protein, for nutrients.

An advanced fungal infection often results in a deformed toenail - a thick, flaky, crumbly toenail with an odd yellow, brown, or black color. Toenails are particularly difficult to treat because they are so thick and tough; however, if treated continuously over a long period of time, with an effective toenail fungus remedy, the infection can be overcome. A variety of treatments are available for this - the best topical ones are designed to penetrate the nail and make contact with the fungus, and should be accompanied by manual filing to wear down the layers of the deformed toenail.

Physical damage to the nail root can also be the cause of a deformed toenail. People often injure finger- and toe tips, and if the injury includes, the root where the nail is actually formed by specialized cells, the nail may never form properly again. It may perpetually be produced with ridges or grooves, or it may just look as though it's shaped differently from the other nails on the feet. Women can often cover much of the damage by using nail polish, while men can file down the nail and keep it neatly trimmed. The chances are that, even if you wear sandals, very few people will notice.

A deformed toenail may also be caused by bacterial infections, hereditary conditions, or underlying disease (though it would be unusual for only one nail to be affected in the latter two cases). These conditions should be evaluated by a doctor - some are treatable while others are not, but it is best to know what you are dealing with. When there is doubt about the diagnosis, a physician can order the appropriate tests to determine the cause.