Q: As a 75-year-old male, my big left toenail has grown in size where normal nail cutters cannot cut. Its colors change from dark to light from time to time. My VA doctor indicated he could remove the toenail. Is that the only cure? My wife has the same problem so is there a safer way to correct this color variation? As a career Army man, I did not pay much attention to toe/foot hygiene, as my concern was for my troops hygiene. I guess I did not practice what I preached for like 43 years. Help!
A: Discolored toenails might be caused by numerous conditions including a simple bruise from wearing shoes that don’t fit properly, a serious medical issue such as liver dysfunction or diabetes, bleeding that occurs in the skin under the nails that gives a black look, a bacterial infection, or you may have a common fungi that gives the nails a yellow/brown/green/black appearance.
A fungus will commonly begin as a small white spot, or the nail will take on a yellow tinge. As the fungus continues to grow, the discoloration will likely become more pronounced. In the advanced stages, the nails often thicken, may become misshapen or flake. Fungal spores thrive in warm, moist environments such as when the feet sweat while wearing shoes, allowing an infection to thrive. It is well-known that footwear traps moisture and sets a perfect stage. A simple step is to rotate your shoes every other day, allowing them to dry completely between use. If you live in a humid climate, you may choose to put your shoes out of doors for a period of time each day so the air can circulate through them periodically.
Bacterial infections may cause nails to take on a green tinge. Advanced cases may cause the nail to lift from the nail bed, making it easy to snag on socks. If this is the case, you may require prescription medication.
Because you indicate both you and your wife have the same problem, my guess is that you both walk barefoot into a common area such as your shower area, hot tub, heated pool, or sauna and may spread either a bacterial or fungal infection back and forth.
Lastly, medical conditions such as heart, lung, liver or kidney issues can cause a change in nail color. A visit to your health care provider may be appropriate to rule out such issues.
Nails have a tendency to thicken as we age, making them extremely difficult to trim. You might try soaking your feet in warm water to soften your nails and aid in the clipping process. Be careful not to trim the nails back too far, causing other problems that can take an extended period of time to heal. You might also consider dabbing your nails with a cotton ball soaked in vinegar, tea tree oil, or peroxide. There are numerous over-the-counter products such as Miranel available through WalMart that may work toward curing a fungus. While the monograph on this product does not specify it is for use in controlling infection, it has been used very successfully by countless individuals.
I then recommend you both make an appointment with a podiatrist for an examination of your feet. This specialist should be able to tell you whether you have caused trauma to your nails, have a fungal or bacterial infection, or whether you might have a medical condition that should be addressed. In my opinion, there are two viable options for a cure – either treatment with an oral anti-fungal medication or removal of the nail which is not a complicated procedure.
