What do changes in toenails mean?
Disease. Changes in your nails such as splitting, pitting, ridges, the appearance of black streaks, and more, can indicate a number of diseases, including hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, psoriasis, and even melanoma. Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. Lack of vitamin B12 is a big one.
Can your toenails change shape?
A change in color, texture, or shape can be harmless, but it can also be a sign of disease. If you notice any of the following changes to a fingernail or toenail, it’s time to see a board-certified dermatologist.
Do toe nails change with age?
As we age, our toenails – and fingernails – slow their growth rate, and the nails thicken because the nail cells, called onychocytes, sort of pile up. Fingernails appear to thicken less, probably because we tend to them more often with filing and buffing, which thins them.
Can toe nails show health problems?
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.
Why is my big toenail curving?
Onychogryphosis is a thickening of the nails due to injury or infection. It mostly affects the toes — specifically the big toes. This condition is also known as ram’s horn nail and claw nail because it causes the nails to curve and resemble the shape of a ram’s horn or claw.
What causes toe nails to blacken?
What causes black toenail? A black toenail may be caused by: An underlying medical condition: This may include anemia, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. Fungal infections: While these often look white or yellow, fungal infections can sometimes cause black toenails from debris buildup.
Why is my big toenail discolored?
Nail fungus, also called onychomycosis, is one of the most prevalent causes of toenail discoloration. The most common organism to cause toenail fungus is called dermatophyte. However, mold or yeast can also infect toenails. Dermatophytes grow by eating your body’s keratin.
Why do toenails change shape?
Cell damage by the fungus to the foot of the nail can cause the nail to thicken and change in shape. A foot fungus infection of the skin can spread to nails giving rise to a toenail fungus infection.
What causes abnormal toenails?
Detailed list of causes of Abnormal toenail shape. The list below shows some of the causes of Abnormal toenail shape mentioned in various sources: Bronchiectasis. Cirrhosis of liver. Clubbing. Cyanotic heart disease. Infective heart disease. Inflammatory bowel disease.
Why do nails change shape?
A dramatic shape change with very rounded nails is clubbing, a sign of long-term oxygen deprivation. It can occur with a variety of cardiovascular, endocrine, or gastrointestinal diseases, and should be investigated by your doctor.
What causes toenails to turn brown?
When toenails turn brown, it is most often caused by fungal infections, inadequate foot cleaning, wearing tight shoes, trauma to the toenail area, or natural coloring relating to the pigments in a person’s skin. The most common cause of brown toenails is fungal infections of the nail.