Your body oftentimes tries to tell you something about health problems you may be experiencing through telltale signals that can show up in your toenails. Serious health issues, nutritional deficits, and injuries can exhibit the following signs and symptoms in your toenails' appearance: ● Dark stripes across the nail. Although for people with dark skin it can be perfectly normal to have dark lines on their nails, in some cases this can be an indication of a specific melanoma that grows in the nail bed. One way to tell if this is a natural variation, or something more sinister is if the stripes appear in just one nail, or if they get wider or darker over time. If this is the case, you should see your doctor to get tested for melanoma.● Crumbly, brittle nails. Exposure to toxic chemicals, detergents, and nail polish can cause a weakening of the nails. It could also be the result of a fungal nail infection, thyroid issues, or psoriasis.● Yellow, or otherwise discolored nails. While frequently caused by a fungal infection, psoriasis, or overuse of nail polish, this condition can also be caused by jaundice, which may also be an indication of liver problems. Black/green colored nails may be a sign of a bacterial infection or a side effect of medicines like antibiotics. Stubbing your toe can also cause the nail to blacken.● White stripes across the nails. While white stripes and dots on the toenails is usually a normal phenomenon, it can be an indication of decreased protein levels in the blood. Malnutrition and liver disease are suspected causes of protein deficiency. If you are concerned about the appearance of your toenails, be sure to have your podiatrist examine them and help identify the underlying cause of your toenail troubles. Mark A. Borovoy, DPM, andJohn D. Miller, DPM, ofAssociated Podiatrists, P.C. in Novi, MI are experts in all areas of foot and ankle care, and will be happy to assist you with toenail issues and any other problems you may be experiencing with your feet and ankles. You canrequest an appointment on our website or feel free to call us at 248-348-5300.
