Discolored Toenails

Discolored toenails aren’t just an aesthetic problem; they could be a sign of a serious illness. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry offer a variety of professional treatments for different toe-related problems, but for best results, we depend on our patients coming to us for early interventions. Therefore, we wanted to inform people of just what different types of discoloration could indicate.


The most common cause of toenail discoloration is fungal infection. This will cause the toenails to turn a yellow-brownish color or have white spots and make them misshapen and bad-smelling. They may become brittle and pitted. But toenails can also fall prey to bacterial infections, which could cause them to turn green.


Dark stains could be the result of an injury. Blood pooling under a nail would look black or purple, and in a person with difficulty feeling their toes, it may be their best indicator that they have a bruise. But cancerous growths can look similar to bruises, so it’s dangerous to take for granted what discoloration is caused by. A more mild injury could cause white streaks. There are also genetic conditions, such as Darier disease, that can cause a striped pattern and moles that could cause a blue spot.


Dr. Frank Killian and Dr. Sameep Chandrani run Mercer-Ocean Podiatry. For the location at 2103 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Hamilton Township, New Jersey, 08619, call 609-585-3200. For the location at 202 Rte 37 W, Suite 4, Toms River, New Jersey, 08755, call 732-557-4266. Visit New Jersey Foot.


 

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