People with diabetes are more vulnerable to fungal infections than the general population, so toenail discoloration can be a warning sign of the condition or a complication in someone with a confirmed diagnosis. People may notice this after they stub their toes, wear tight shoes when running, or do anything else that causes small blood vessels to break and leak blood under the toenail. A red area will appear that turns purple over time and then brown or black. Injuries can cause toenail discoloration. Psoriasis is a disorder that causes the body to make skin cells more quickly than they break down, which results in a patchy buildup on different parts of the skin.Īccording to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), people with psoriasis often develop nail psoriasis at some point in their lives, causing the nails to: those who walk barefoot in shared bathrooms or locker rooms.

people with poor peripheral circulation.

males than females, though the reasons for this difference are unclear.

older people - the prevalence is 18.2% in people aged 60–79 years compared with 0.7% in people younger than 19 years.

A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that toenail fungal infections are more likely to affect: Nail fungus affects up to 14% of people in North America. It can also occur when other yeasts or molds get into the nail through cracks or breaks in the skin or nail. Toenail fungus can often begin as a skin infection called athlete’s foot. Nail fungus affects toenails more often than fingernails, with the infection typically developing on the big toe first. The medical term for nail fungus is onychomycosis, and it causes about 50% of nail diseases. Nail fungus is a common infection that is not usually painful unless it is severe.

The health and appearance of the feet and toes can provide insight into someone’s overall health.Ĭonditions that may cause toenail discoloration include: Nail fungus Share on Pinterest Credit Image: Sittipong Mangkon/EyeEm/Getty Images

Fingernails odd spreading of white area