Toenail Problems

Are your toes playing second fiddle to your fingers? Toenails often get neglected because they’re usually covered up most of the time. But if toenail problems develop, then you should definitely pay close attention.

Please let Bay Area Foot & Laser Podiatry Group help you get your toes tapping again. During your visit, Dr. Jonathan Huey carefully examines your toenails and determines the best course of treatment for you.

Black Toenails

Causes of black toenails range from common traumas to rare melanoma. For example, bruises can form under your nail and turn black if you stub your toe or wear shoes that cram your toes. But rare causes of black toenails include fungal infections, chronic ingrown nails, and a serious form of skin cancer called malignant melanoma. If you have black toenails but didn’t hurt your toes, then please come in for a diagnosis from Dr. Huey as soon as possible.

Blue Toenails

If you notice a blue spot in your toenail, it could be a mole beneath the nail called a Blue Nevus. The most common Blue Nevus is usually benign and stays that way throughout a person’s life. However, the very rare Cellular Blue Nevus can become cancerous. If you have a blue spot on your toenail, then please come in for a diagnosis by Dr. Huey.

Brown-Black Striped Toenails

If you have brown or black stripes that run from the bottom to the top of your toenails, then you have a condition called Melanonychia. A lot of things can cause it and they can be either benign or cancerous. If you have brown or black striped toenails, then please come in to see Dr. Huey for a closer look.

Green Toenails

Green toenails could be caused by a bacterial infection beneath the nails. Also known as Green Nail Syndrome (GNS) and Chloronychia, it usually occurs when your feet are exposed to moisture or dampness for prolonged periods of time. The bacteria can lurk in environments such as hot tubs and saunas or even in items such as sponges and shoes. If your toenails are green, then please come in to get them treated by Dr. Huey.

Thick Toenails

As you get older, your toenails get thicker naturally but they can get thicker for other reasons, too. Wearing shoes that cram the front of your toes or growing in a new nail after an injured one has fallen off are reasons easy enough to understand. However, less apparent causes could be from a fungal infection, psoriasis and even hypothyroidism. If you have thick toenails, then please let Dr. Huey figure out the cause of it.

White Toenails

Causes of white toenails range from common traumas to fungal infections. With common traumas, white spots or lines can appear if you stub your toe or wear shoes that cram the front of your toes; in these cases, it didn’t cause bruising because blood vessels didn’t break. However, if your toenails are white all over, then you most likely have a fungal infection. Ask Dr. Huey about PinPointe™ FootLaser®, an FDA-cleared procedure we use to treat toenail fungus (onychomycosis).

Yellow Toenails

Causes of yellow toenails range from something as simple as staining them from nail polish to something more serious such as lymphedema or diabetes. Most commonly though, thick yellow toenails come from fungal infections. Ask Dr. Huey about PinPointe™ FootLaser®, an FDA-cleared procedure we use to treat toenail fungus (onychomycosis) without the risk of oral medications.

Toenail fungus often starts as a skin infection popularly known as Athlete’s Foot. Over time, the infection makes its way in and under the nail bed. Telling signs of a fungal toenail infection are the whitening, yellowing or browning of a toenail in color and the crusting or crumbling of a toenail in texture. It’s one of the most common toenail problems. And, it can be difficult to treat if you’re not on top of it because fungus likes to thrive in warm, damp areas from the inside of locker rooms to your shoes.