Nail Discoloration
- Janis Boudreau
The healthy nail plate is pink, and the nail looks white as it grows off the nail bed.
Causes of discolored nails typically include:
- Nail polish
- Nicotine from cigarette smoking
- Hair-colouring agents
- Certain infections
- Injury to the nail bed
- Some medications, including antibiotics, anti-malarial medications, and some medications used in chemo
- Melanoma
Discoloration of entire nail bed
- Paleness or whitening is often associated with the cold or with liver disease, kidney disease or anemia.
- Yellowing of the nail bed may associated with staining, chronic bronchitis, yellow nail syndrome, lymphatic problems, diabetes, or liver disorders.
- Brown or copper nail beds are associated with arsenic or copper poisoning, local fungal infections or staining such as from tobacco.
- Grey nail beds are often associated with arthritis, edema, malnutrition, post-operative effects, glaucoma or cardio-pulmonary disease.
- Blue nail beds are (much like blue skin) associated with poor oxygenation of the blood or cold temperatures. Such causes of decreased oxygenation may include asthma, emphysema, peripheral vascular disease, or cold feet such as that from Raynaud’s Disease.
- Redness is associated with heart conditions, infection, irritation or simply just warm toes.
Other Colour changes
- Yellow or Brown toe nails: The most common cause of yellow discoloration in the toenails is a fungal infection. The fungus often develops underneath the nail in the nail bed, resulting in it becoming thick, raised, and yellow in color. These nails may also have an odour when cut.
- Other potential causes for yellow discoloration of the nail include diabetes and lymphedema (chronic leg swelling). Yellow staining of the nails can also occur in individuals who use nail polish or tan their legs. Stains of the nail plate (not the nail bed) can also occure with discolouration smoking, or henna use. A stained nail may take several months to grow out.
- Small white patches are known as leukonychia punctata.
- Terry’s nails are opaque white nails with a dark band at the fingertip, and often associated with cancer, cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, diabetes and aging.
- White lines across the nail (leukonychia striata, or transverse leukonychia) may be Mee’s lines or Muehrcke’s lines.
- Melanoychia (longitudinal streaking that darkens or does not grow out), especially on the thumb or big toe, is usually fairly harmless however in some cases it may indicate subungual melanoma and should always be checked out with a health care professional.
- Dark nails maybe associated with B12 deficiency.
- Red skin at the base of the nail may be associated with infection (paronychia- as above) or connective tissue disorders.
If your concerned with the way your nails look….book a consultation with one of our amazing Footcare professionals to assist you with a treatment plan.
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Janis Boudreau
Janis Boudreau is the founder of Advanced Foot Care Nurse, the leading foot care specialised business in Ontario with over 6 locations and growing. Professional, High-Quality Foot Care done with compassion!
We have 12 licensed Nurses and 1 PSW/Aesthetician in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
We are educated in Advanced Foot Care, and skilled Diabetic education. We upgrade our skills continually to meet best practice standards.
We proudly have combined 105 years of nursing experience and over 15,000 high quality foot care visits in office and home foot care.
ADVANCED FOOT CARE NURSE cares about you and offers a holistic approach to foot care!
With the use of a state-of-the art, suction integrated podiatry drill and various podiatry burs, We have found a unique way to deliver the safest, effective and painless experience for patients with virtually no vibration… We only use the best!
