Isla Bennett
Toenail discolouration can be a sign of a number of health issues. The term for brown and sometimes black discolouration on your toenail is melanonychia. This can appear as a line or streak going up and down the nail. Melanonychia may appear in one nail or several. Other causes of toenail discolouration include nail fungus, kidney failure, psoriasis, and injuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Nail fungus, injury, melanonychia |
| Colour | Brown, Black |
| Appearance | Line or streak |
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What You'll Learn
Nail fungus
If your toenails turn brown, it could be a sign of nail fungus. This is an infection that turns your toenails yellow, brown, red, green, or black. The colour change will start at the tip of the nail and, as the infection gets worse, the entire nail will change colour.
However, brown toenails could also be a sign of melanonychia, which is a brown or black line or streak going up and down the nail. This can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion, but no matter the cause, you should have a doctor check it out as it may be a sign of other health issues.
Finally, brown toenails could be the result of an injury, such as stubbing your toe or wearing tight shoes, which can cause a subungual hematoma, involving blood and fluid collecting under the nail. This will usually heal with home treatments, and a healthy new toenail will grow out.
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Melanonychia
Toenail discolouration can be a sign of an underlying health problem. If your toenail turns brown, it could be due to a number of reasons. One possible cause is a nail fungus, which can turn your toenails yellow, brown, red, green, or black. This infection starts at the tip of the nail and gradually spreads. Another possible cause is an injury, which can lead to a subungual hematoma, where blood and fluid collect under the nail, causing discolouration. This can occur from stubbing your toe, wearing tight shoes, or any activity that causes small blood vessels to break and leak under the nail.
The term for brown and sometimes black discolouration on the toenail is melanonychia. It usually appears as a line or streak running up and down the nail and can occur in one or several nails. Melanonychia may occur naturally in people with a dark complexion due to an increase in the production and deposits of melanin in the nail. However, it is important to consult a doctor as it may also be a sign of other health issues. Melanonychia is also known as melanonychia striata or longitudinal melanonychia.
While toenail discolouration can be concerning, it is important to remember that there are various treatment options available. For example, toenail injuries can often heal with home treatments such as over-the-counter pain relief, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). In the case of nail fungus, seeking treatment from a podiatrist early on can help avoid surgical options.
In summary, if you notice that your toenails are turning brown, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. While it may be a benign condition, toenail discolouration can also indicate more serious health issues, so early diagnosis and intervention are crucial.
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Toenail injuries
If you have injured your toe, you can treat it at home with over-the-counter pain relief and rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). The body will usually absorb the pooled blood over time, and a healthy new toenail will grow out. However, it is important to seek medical advice if you are concerned or if the discolouration is accompanied by other symptoms.
Toenail discolouration can also be caused by nail fungus, an infection that turns the toenails yellow, brown, red, green, or black. The colour change usually starts at the tip of the nail and spreads as the infection worsens. It is important to seek treatment from a podiatrist as soon as you notice any changes to avoid more invasive treatment options.
In some cases, toenail discolouration can be a sign of other health issues. For example, brown or black streaks on the nail, known as melanonychia, may be a sign of an increase in melanin production. This can occur naturally in people with a dark complexion, but it is still important to have a doctor check for it.
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Kidney failure
Brown toenails can be caused by a few different conditions. One possibility is nail fungus, which can turn toenails yellow, brown, red, green, or black. Another potential cause is melanonychia, which is characterised by brown or black lines or streaks on the nail. This condition can occur naturally in people with a dark complexion, but it can also be a sign of other health issues. Finally, brown toenails could be the result of a subungual hematoma, which is caused by blood and fluid collecting under the nail due to an injury. This usually occurs after stubbing a toe or wearing tight shoes.
The treatment for kidney failure depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. In some cases, lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise may be enough to manage the condition. However, in more severe cases, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be necessary.
It is important to see a doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms of kidney failure, as early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes. Kidney failure is a serious condition, but with proper management, it is possible to live a full and healthy life.
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Psoriasis
Toenails turning brown can be caused by a few different issues. One possibility is nail fungus, which can turn your toenails yellow, brown, red, green, or black. The infection usually starts at the tip of the nail and then spreads to the entire nail as it gets worse. Another cause could be an injury, such as stubbing your toe or wearing tight shoes, which can result in a subungual hematoma. This is when blood and fluid collect under the nail, causing it to turn brown or black over time. Finally, brown toenails could be a sign of melanonychia, which is characterised by brown or black stripes running up and down the nail. This condition can occur naturally, especially in people with a dark complexion, but it is still recommended to have a doctor check for it as it may be a sign of other health issues.
Now, let's focus on psoriasis, an irritating skin condition that can also affect the nails. Psoriasis typically causes flaky skin, itching, redness, and skin discolouration. When it involves the nails, it can lead to nail pitting, thickening, and discolouration. The nail changes associated with psoriasis can include brown or yellow discolouration, pitting or indentations on the nail surface, thickening and ridging of the nails, and separation of the nail from the nail bed (onycholysis). In some cases, the nails may become brittle and crumble or detach from the nail bed entirely.
While nail changes can be a common feature of psoriasis, they are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. It is important to recognise and address nail psoriasis early on, as untreated nail involvement can lead to pain, functional impairment, and negative impacts on quality of life. Additionally, nail psoriasis may be an indicator of more severe or extensive disease involvement. Therefore, prompt recognition and appropriate management of nail psoriasis are crucial.
The management of nail psoriasis involves a combination of topical and systemic treatments. Topical treatments, such as corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues, and calcineurin inhibitors, are applied directly to the nails to reduce inflammation and improve nail appearance. Systemic treatments, including methotrexate, acitretin, and biologics, work by modulating the immune system and are often reserved for more severe cases or when topical treatments have not been effective. Phototherapy, or light therapy, is another treatment option that can help improve nail psoriasis by slowing down the rapid growth of skin cells.
In addition to medical treatments, certain self-care practices can help manage nail psoriasis. Keeping nails short and filing them regularly can reduce the risk of nail damage and improve their appearance. Soaking the nails in warm water and applying moisturizers can also help soften and improve nail texture. It is important to avoid picking or digging at the nails, as this can worsen the condition and increase the risk of infection. While nail psoriasis can be challenging to treat, a combination of medical interventions and self-care strategies can help improve nail appearance and reduce associated symptoms.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a fungal infection, an injury, or a condition called melanonychia.
A fungal infection will usually start at the tip of the nail and change the colour of the nail from the inside.
An injury will usually start as a red area that may turn purple, then brown or black.
Melanonychia is a brown or black line or streak that runs up and down the nail. It can appear in one or several nails.
You should seek medical advice to determine the cause and rule out any serious health issues.
