Toe nail discoloration - what it is?

[bizzylizzy]

I notice that there's an obvious change in colour on my big toe nails. I don't think it can be fungal because it's uniform and follows the shape of the nail. The bottom two thirds is the usual white pale pink color then top third is a slighly darker colour band. I'm pretty sure it can't be a mineral or vitamin deficiency as I have a reasonably balanced diet. I just wondered what it might be? Thank you.

[B00]

You wear nail varnish alot by any chance?

[bizzylizzy]

I have worn it a fair bit during the summer yes. I haven't for the last couple of weeks though, to give my nails a rest. But I haven't left it off long enough for the the darker bit of the nail to have grown up that far if you see what I mean.

[Nosha123]

have you dropped something on your toe recently? Could you have damaged the nail as it was growing?

[Messalina]

Could be a fungal thing - Clear Zal is good if it is.

[B00]

I'd still put it down to your nail varnish.

Plus id only be worried (If i was you) if the new nail growth was discoloured, not the ends.

[sophie_1003]

I had darker spots on my big toe nails and it was from wearing shoes that were too small.

[bizzylizzy]

It's not a spot. It's as though the top half inch of the nail is a shade darker. I know that health probs can sometimes result in this kind of thing. I don't suppose it could have suddenly appeared, it must have worked its way up from the nail base. I just wondered what it might have been that's all. As ya do. Middle age is turning me into a hypochondriac :-)

[RATTER15]

It sounds fungal to me, I have no idea how old you are but fungal infections of the toe nail is extremely common in older people, nearly always the big toe nail for some reason. It is often the result of athletes foot at some stage. I'm only 52 and I have one big toe nail infected.

If it is also starting to thicken then I would definitely say fungal.