Podiatrist warns anyone with discoloured toenails should see doctor immediately
Podiatrists have issued a warning to anyone with discoloured toenails, urging them to see a doctor immediately.
Podiatrists, medical professionals devoted to the treatment of disorders of the foot, at Belmont Anderson & Associates, have issued several warnings about toenails, explaining that there are 'certain signs' that you have health problems that can be seen in your nails.
"If you notice dark discolouration that is often painful, you should be alarmed," they warn. "This is a sign of melanoma, which is a very serious form of skin cancer. You should schedule an appointment with your physician right away."
Healthline adds that dark discolouration could be a sign of subungual melanoma, which is caused when cells in the nail bed create too much melanin, cells that cause colour in things like your skin, hair, and eyes.
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The experts outline: "Subungual melanoma develops under the toenail and, depending on the type, can be fatal if left untreated. Most people with subungual melanoma have a dark black, vertical band in a single toenail, which can be confused with other conditions like bacterial and fungal infections or nail injury."
In addition to a dark band of colour on a nail, Healthline notes that other warning signs of subungual melanoma include:
- splitting or bleeding nail
- painful nail
- drainage (pus) from the nail
- injured nails that are slow to heal
- nail dystrophy
- nails that separate from the nail bed
"If you have any of these and your doctor suspects subungual melanoma, they may order or perform a nail biopsy to check for cancer cells," the outlet adds.
Treatment for subungual melanoma includes: surgery to remove the affected nail and nail bed, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and a partial or complete surgical removal of the entire toe.
It's important to note that, sometimes, nail discolouration is a symptom of an underlying health condition.
Yellow-brown spots under the nail could be due to psoriasis, white on the bottom half and pink or discoloured on the top could be indicative of kidney failure, completely white could be cirrhosis, and green could be down to pseudomonas infections
Healthline advises seeking medical attention if your nail or nail bed:
- changes in shape
- thickens
- bleeds
- swells
- is painful
- has discharge
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Rhiannon Ingle