Robert Rosenstein, DPM
Jennifer Zienkowski, DPM
Michael Coppers, DPM
CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS
FAQ9
Why are my toenails discolored or thickened?
Toenails that are thick and yellowed can be caused by inadequate nutrition, poor health, fungal infections, or genetics.

It's always a good idea to have a podiatrists check out your feet if you suspect fungal infection because there are some other conditions you may have instead of fungal nails:
Lines and Ridges- These are common and may be considered normal.
Whitish or Yellowish Nails- Due to onycholysis. This means separation of the nail bed. The color you see is air.
Red or Black Nails- Due to a hematoma, or blood under the nail, usually from trauma (like whacking yourself on the thumb with a hammer).
Green Nails- Caused by pseudomonas bacteria, which live silently under many nails. This bacteria grows under a nail that has partially separated from the nail bed, thereby producing a green pigment.
Pitted Nails- May be associated with psoriasis or other skin problems that affect the nail matrix, the area under the skin just behind the nail. This is the area from which the nail grows.
Swelling and Redness of the Skin around the Nail- Called paronychia. This condition occurs when yeast infects a damaged cuticle.
Creams and other topical medications are usually not effective against nail fungus. This is because nails are too hard for external applications to penetrate. However, a new medicated nail lacquer ciclopirox (Penlac) Topical Solution 8% has been approved to treat finger or toenail fungus that does not involve the white portion of the nail (lunula) in persons with normal immune systems.




