Caleb Foster
The colour of your toenails can indicate a lot about your health. For example, a bluish tinge could be a symptom of Raynaud's disease, while black toenails could be a sign of cancer or liver or kidney disease. Toenails that are unusually thick with a yellow or brown tinge are most likely the result of a fungal infection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Fungal infection |
| White | Anemia |
| White stripes or bands | Lack of protein in diet |
| Grey | Malnutrition, lung disease, arthritis |
| Green | Allergic reaction, infection |
| Black | Cancer, liver or kidney disease, bacterial infection, vitamin B12 deficiency, anemia, subungual hematoma, injury |
| Purple | Circulatory issue, subungual hematoma |
| Blue | Raynaud's disease |
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What You'll Learn
Yellow toenails: a fungal infection
Yellow toenails are usually a sign of a fungal infection. The nail may thicken and become a cloudy yellow-brown colour. This can be caused by smoking or be a side effect of diabetes or a liver condition. In most cases, the yellow colour will resolve on its own, but over-the-counter antifungal creams can help. If the issue persists, it may be time to visit your doctor. There could be an underlying issue such as diabetes or a thyroid disorder if the nail changes in thickness or shape.
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White toenails: a sign of anaemia
Toenails are usually a shade of pale pink. Any discolouration could be a sign of a health issue. White toenails, for example, can be a sign of a fungal infection called superficial onychomycosis. This infection starts in the top layers of the nail and then goes deeper. It is caused by an organism called T. mentagraphytes.
Superficial onychomycosis is characterised by flaky, white patches and pits on the top of the nail plate. The nail may also become thickened and discoloured. This pattern of disease is often related to underlying HIV infection.
If you are concerned about the colour of your toenails, you should seek medical advice.
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Black toenails: a symptom of cancer, liver or kidney disease
Toenails that are healthy are usually a shade of pale pink. However, if your toenails are yellow, this could be a sign of a fungal infection, diabetes, a thyroid disorder, or a liver condition.
If your toenails are black, this could be a sign of trauma caused by direct impact, such as something heavy falling on the toenail. It could also be a sign of a fungal infection, or, in rare cases, skin cancer such as malignant melanoma.
If you have black toenails and you haven't stubbed your toe or been skiing or exercising in tight shoes, it's worth getting checked out by a doctor.
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Blue toenails: a symptom of Raynaud's disease
Toenails are usually a shade of pale pink, but different colours can indicate health issues. For example, yellow toenails are usually a sign of a fungal infection, while black toenails can be caused by trauma or, in rarer cases, skin cancer.
Blue toenails can be a symptom of Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's syndrome or Raynaud's phenomenon. This is a condition where the blood vessels in your fingers, toes, and other extremities temporarily overreact to low temperatures or stress, causing reduced blood flow. During an attack, your skin turns white and then blue due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. Your skin may also feel cold or numb. When the blood vessels relax and open up again, your skin may look red or feel tingly. An attack usually lasts around 15 minutes.
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Green toenails: an allergic reaction or an infection
Green toenails are usually a sign of a cutaneous Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, which results in a blue-green biofilm on the surface of the nail. This is also known as green nail syndrome. It is common in distance runners, homemakers, barbers, nail salon technicians, dishwashers, janitors, bakers, and medical personnel because of water or chemical exposure. The use of artificial nails and nail polishes may increase the risk of infection.
Toenails that are unusually thick with a yellow or brown tinge are most likely the result of a fungal infection. Yellowing can also be the result of smoking or a side effect of diabetes or a liver condition. Scattered white spots on your toenails may indicate the beginning of a fungal infection. Black toenails are usually a sign of trauma caused by direct impact, such as when something heavy falls on the toenail. Sometimes black toenail can signify a more concerning issue such as a fungal infection or, in rare cases, skin cancer such as malignant melanoma.
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Frequently asked questions
Yellow toenails typically signify a fungal infection. This is a common issue that usually does not require medical attention and can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams. However, if the issue persists, it may be a sign of an underlying health problem such as diabetes or a thyroid disorder.
Black toenails can be a sign of an injury beneath the nail, a bacterial infection, a deficiency of vitamin B12, or anemia. In extreme cases, black toenails can also indicate cancer, liver disease, or kidney disease.
White toenails can be a sign of anemia. If there are white stripes or bands across the nail, it may mean that you are lacking protein in your diet.
