How To Cure Discolored Nails

If Your Fingernails Are Brown Or Black

If your nail is brown or black, the most important thing to worry about is a nail melanoma, , says Shari Lipner, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatologist and director of the nail division at Weill Cornell Medicine. While nail melanomas are uncommon, they can be deadly if not diagnosed and treated early.

If you notice pain, bleeding, or splitting of the nail, make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist who may have to do a biopsy on the nail, she says.

An especially concerning sign? If the skin surrounding the lower part of your nail turns brown or black this heightens suspicion for a melanoma, says Meghan Feely, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and New Jersey and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai. Its known as Hutchinsons sign, and it most commonly occurs on your thumb , according to The New England Journal of Medicine.

While a brown or black band of pigment in one or more nails could also simply be a benign mole, its best to book a visit to the derm just in case, Feely notes.

Other reasons for a black or brown nail arent so scary: fungal infections bacterial infections or even a funky response to medication. For example, chemotherapy drugs can turn fingernails gray-brown, for example, Lipner says.

What Is The Most Effective Treatment For Toenail Fungus

The most effective toenail fungus treatment for you will largely depend on your symptoms and situation. Your provider will consider several factors before recommending a treatment plan thats customized to you.

Overall, oral antifungal medications may offer the most treatment potential. Pairing oral drugs with topical antifungal medication may make treatment more effective.

If Your Toenails Areyellow Or Brown

A common reason for yellow or brown nails is toenail fungus. And if this is the case, it’s likely your nails will be thick and brittle, too. Toenail fungus can happen from wearing moist sneakers or wearing the same pair for too long. The insides of shoes are a perfect environment to harbor fungal organisms. This condition often begins as an infection in the skin, says Cunha. As the nail fungus penetrates deeper into the nail, it may cause the nail to discolor, thicken, and develop crumbling edges.

Treatment of this condition depends largely on the severity of the infection, and to find that out, experts say you should really go to a doctor and get a nail biopsy. This will help guide exactly what to do about it. A nail biopsy sounds kind of extreme in a world where the drugstore offers plenty of OTC remedies. But if you really want something that works against toenail discoloration and fungusand you do, because nail fungus can take a long time to get rid ofyou need to see a doctor and get that biopsy to be sure you’re using the right product to solve the right problem.

There are other reasons for yellow and brown nails as well, including complications from diabetes. If you have diabetes, make sure your doctor checks your feet every time you visit . Yellow nails could also signifyin rare casesrespiratory or lung issues.

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Toenail Fungus Prescription Medications

Sometimes prescription medications are needed to treat a toenail infection that just wont go away with natural remedies or over-the-counter medication in a few months. In this case, prescription-strength antifungal medication can eradicate stubborn onychomycosis.

Topical medications often are effective in treating mild to moderate toenail fungus. Topical solutions may include medicated nail polishes or liquid medications. Loprox , Penlac , Kerydin , and Jublia are among the top prescription drugs for toenail fungus.

Oral medications can come in capsules, tablets, or liquid. Some common prescriptions are Diflucan , Lamisil , Onmel , and Sporanox .

Why Do Toenails Change Colors

The problem with toenails changing color is that there are so many possible causes. To treat each problem correctly, youll need to know what the cause is. So, its vital to be able to recognize extra symptoms.

Here are some other possible reasons why your toenails might be discolored:

• Extreme cold
• Medical conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, or asthma
• Bacterial infections
• Pigmentation changes
• Skin conditions

All these causes come with other symptoms. That makes it easier to pinpoint the problem and treat it as needed. Sometimes, the color change will occur on the entire nail. Sometimes, it may just affect the tips of the nail. Paying closer attention to your feet will help you find the cause of discoloration faster, so you can treat it sooner.

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Tips On How To Get Rid Of Yellow Nails From Nail Polish Fast

Your fingernails get yellow? Most popularly, yellow or stained nails are the consequences of the nail polish. The darker polishes particularly take a toll on the human nails, leaving them yellow or stained with leftover dyes. Of course, the easiest way to prevent this from happening is by using a clear base coat. This will not only help increase the life of your nail polish, but also seal and protect the nail plates from staining.

Another cause of stained or yellow nails is the nicotine and tar from cigarettes. If you smoke, the best way to stop your nails from getting yellow is to stop smoking. Obviously, we all know that quitting smoking is hard, but cigarettes make you age prematurely and also cause wrinkles or worse they yellow your own nails. However, in case you are suffering from yellow nails recently, fortunately, this condition could be healed naturally at home with the help of some home treatments using natural ingredients. The following tips on how to get rid of yellow nails from nail polish fast, collected by VKool.com, will help you finally say goodbye to yellow nails and have healthy, strong nails soon.

What Can You Do About Yellow Nails

Your nails can tell you a lot about your overall health. Discoloration, weakness and lifted nails all point to various illnesses that may be a result of the change in both your fingernails and toenails. But is all yellowing necessarily a medical condition that requires you to consult your physician? No. So, what causes your nails to change shape and color?

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How Can I Prevent Toenail Fungus

Theres no way to guarantee that you wont get toenail fungus. But you can take several steps to help prevent it:

• Avoid going barefoot in communal areas such as hotel rooms / showers, public showers, locker rooms and swimming pools. Most people pick up fungus in these situations. It helps to wear flip flops in these public areas.
• If you have a family member with foot fungus or nail fungus, try to use different shower or wear flip flops in the shower to avoid coming in contact with it.
• Trauma due to accidental or aggressive clipping of the nails can turn into portals of entry for the fungus.
• Clean your nail trimmer before using it.
• Do not tear or rip your toenails on purpose.
• If you have diabetes, follow all foot care recommendations from your healthcare provider.
• Keep your feet dry. Make sure to fully dry your feet after a shower.
• Soak toenails in warm water before cutting them. Or you can cut your nails after a shower or bath.
• Trim toenails straight across .
• Wear shoes that fit correctly. They should not be too loose or tight around the toes.

Side Effects Of Toenail Fungus Medication

One of the many benefits of using a homeopathic remedy is that there are little to no adverse side effects. Topical treatments often prescribed to treat toenail fungus can potentially burn or blister the skin. Oral medications for treating onychomycosis can cause liver or gastrointestinal damage. Be sure to read your medications list of potential side effects. Consult your pharmacist, physician, or specialist if you are concerned about side effects of prescription drugs.

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Deformed Or Brittle Nails

A violent toe-stubbing, dropping a heavy object on the toe or some other trauma can injure the nail bed and cause the nail to grow in a deformed way. The nail may be thickened or ridged. It is a normal ageing process for nails to thicken.Deformed or brittle toenails can benefit from regular professional attention. Trimming, shaping and nail care from a podiatrist can improve the health of your toenails and help diagnose and treat more serious nail problems.

What Are Nail Discolored

Nail discolored which the nails appear white, green, or yellow, can result from different infections and or conditions of the skin. In about half of cases, discolored nails are a result of infections with common fungi that can be found in the air, dust, and soil. There are many species of fungi that can affect nails. Most common, however, is called Trichophyton rubrum. This type of fungus has a tendency to infect the skin and is therefore known as a dermatophyte. Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria that infects the nail bed and results in a greenish color to the nails. Red or black nails may result from a hematoma under the nail as a result of trauma .

Chronic medical conditions also can affect the appearance of the nails. Specific color changes in the nails can be suggestive of diabetes or of liver, kidney, heart, or lung conditions. This is why doctors pay specific attention to nails during a routine physical examination.

Other, rare causes of discolored nails include the yellow nail syndrome,. A condition that results in slow-growing, yellowing, discolored nails and is associated with lymphedema and lung diseases. Nails may also appear lightened to a whitish-yellow color if there has been separation of the nail from the nail bed, termed onycholysis.

The skin, mucous membranes, and nails may appear blue when there is inadequate oxygenation of blood , but this is not true discoloration of the nail itself.

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If Your Fingernails Are Blue

While a blue nail may signify that underlying glomus tumor, blue nails could also be a sign of cyanosis when red blood cells are not carrying enough oxygen, Lipner says. This could be linked to lung or heart issues, like asthma, pneumonia, or poor circulation. Another possible cause? Silver exposure .

In either case, the course of action is the same: Get yourself to a doctor to figure out the underlying cause.

Use Lemon Juice And Soapy Water

Use a solution of lemon juice and soapy water to get rid of the stain. You can find both easily in your kitchen cabinet. So when you use this solution, the acidic properties of lemon juice will dissolve all the stain particles from your nails and the soap water will further ease the process. To use this solution in one cup of water pour two tablespoon of liquid soap and one fourth cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Soak your nails in this solution for about five minutes. Wash your hands in running water and them moisturize them.

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Nail Treatment Solution Effective Nail Repair Cream For Athletes For Discolored Damaged Nails

• The nail care solution nourishes skin and nails and repairs toenail and fingernail damage to give you beautiful skin and nails.
• Caring for nails is like caring for the skin, including aging, discolored, and damaged nails.
• Take the appropriate amount of cream to apply on the affected area gently massaging until absorbed.
• The nail treatment cream improves nail thickening brittleness yellowing and other problems.
• Discoloration of athletes’ feet and nails can cause serious damage to toenails and skin.

Best Soak: Purely Northwest Tea Tree Oil Foot & Body Soak

• Relaxes muscles with Epsom and sea salts

• All-natural solution

• Essential oils may be potential allergens

If youre looking for an all-natural route to treat toenail fungus, then this foot soak could be for you. Not only is a foot soak a relaxing way to end your day, but the ingredients used in Purely Northwests soak include Epsom salt, sea salt, tea tree oil, and other oils. These ingredients soothe the skin while addressing foot and toenail fungus.

The combined ingredients work to dry out the fungus to prevent it from spreading. Benefits of the soak also include healing cracked feet and soothing aches.

This US-made product has no dyes or synthetic fragrances, making it a great all-natural solution. But results, depending on severity, might take longer to show when using the soak over prescription or over-the-counter treatments.

Active Ingredients: Epsom salt, Dead Sea salt, MSM, and Therapeutic-grade essential oils | Dose: Add 1.5 tablespoons of foot soak mix for every gallon of water. Mix with hands until the salt dissolved. Add additional salts for a more stronger or aromatic foot bath. Soak your feet for About 15-20 minutes. | Uses: Treats fungus all over feet eliminates food odor and aches

• Great for athletes and gym goers

• Cleanses and deodorizes

• Also treats acne, candida, and rashes

• Fragrant oils may be overwhelming

• Tea tree and lavender sooth skin

• Money back guarantee

• Results can take several weeks

• Only for toe and fingernail fungus

• Expensive

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How To Treat It

Mild fungal infections usually respond well to over-the-counter antifungal treatments, which you can find on . Look for something that contains either clotrimazole or terbinafine. You can also try these 10 home remedies.

If you have a severe fungal infection thats painful or causes your nail to thicken or crumble, its best to see a professional. Left untreated, several fungal infections can cause permanent nail damage.

You should also see a healthcare provider if you have diabetes and a fungal infection in your toenail.

Home Remedies For Discolored Fingernails Treatment

Since fingernail discoloration has many underlying causes, it is necessary to consult your physician once you detect discolored fingernail. However to certain extent you can also take care of your fingernails at home. For example, if the cause is due to repeated use of nail polish remover and nail polish, avoid using it.

• Certain nutritional deficiency can be corrected by eating healthy food and changing lifestyle. One of the healthy ways is to eat green leafy vegetable which contain iron. Besides it also contain plenty of vitamins and other mineral. It also suffices the necessary requirement of calcium and zinc.
• If the cause is fungus infection where the nail color changes to green, application of anti-fungal ointment for weeks together will bring back the original color and shine to the nail. If fungus is involved, it takes lot of time to change the color. A simple home remedy is applying tea tree oil regularly at night on the affected fingernail.
• Applying lemon juice to the discolored fingernails is also effective.
• Apply paste prepared by mixing lemon juice and baking powder to the discolored fingernail. Polish the nail with nail buffer. Wash your hands and apply a moisturizer.
• Application of toothpaste also reduces the discoloration. Apply the toothpaste on the discolored fingernail and gently rub it with the toothbrush having soft bristles. Use this method once or twice in a week till the discoloration vanishes.

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Diagnosis And Treatment Of Nail Problems

Any abnormal changes to your nails should be medically investigated. See your doctor for treatment or possible referral to a dermatologist. If the cause of your nail problem is not immediately apparent, your doctor may take nail clippings and scrapings from beneath the nail for laboratory analysis. Fingernail infections usually respond faster to treatment than toenail infections.Depending on the cause, treatment may include:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Antifungal preparations, mainly oral tablets, for fungal infections in the nails
• Treatment for any contributing skin disease
• Advice on appropriate nail care.

Use Baking Soda Paste

Prepare a baking soda paste using 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with two and a half tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl. Stir the two ingredients and then using a cotton swab apply it onto your nails and also under the tip of your nails. Leave this mixture for three minutes and then rinse it with warm water. Repeat this methoda every six weeks to get noticeable results.

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How To Clean Discolored Toenails

Once you know whats causing your nails to be discolored, you can treat them correctly based on the condition. But, there are a few things you can do to help whiten and fix discolored toenails no matter what state they may be in. If you have a medical condition, its important to treat that first.

But, if youre embarrassed about your unsightly toenails, try some of these natural methods for getting them clearer and cleaner:

How You Got A Fungal Infection

Once your podiatrist tells you that you have onychomycosis, you may wonder how you contracted a nail infection in the first place. Onychomycosis is frequently caused by the same fungus that causes athletes foot. You can pick up onychomycosis if you:

• Use other peoples towels
• Stand on an infected bathmat
• Walk barefoot in public showers, pools, or beach
• Walk barefoot in the gym or other public spaces
• Get athletes foot frequently
• Have sweaty feet
• Injure your nails

The best way to prevent a nail fungal infection is to keep your feet clean and dry, only use your clean towels, and wear shower shoes or sandals at the pool, beach, or gym. Also, be sure to trim your toenails straight across, rather than on a curve. Either avoid salon pedicures, only frequent salons that sterilize tools between customers, or bring your tools to reduce the risk of infection.

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