What other conditions look like toenail fungus?

Since toenail fungus can look like other conditions, including psoriasis, you'll want to have your toenail checked by a doctor. You may need to see a specialist who cares for feet (a podiatrist) or skin (a dermatologist).


What mimics toenail fungus?

Psoriasis can sometimes mimic a fungal infection of the nail even though psoriasis isn't an infection at all but rather a skin disorder caused by an overactive immune system. Other causes of toenail discoloration include ingrown nails, skin cancer, certain inflammatory conditions, and Darier disease.

Does toenail fungus indicate other health problems?

A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.


What does melanoma look like under a toenail?

This may look like a brown or black band in the nail — often on the thumb or big toe of your dominant hand or foot. However, this dark streak can show up on any nail. Dark skin next to your nail. Nail lifting from your fingers or toes.

How can you tell the difference between toenail fungus and melanoma?

Both problems can cause discolored and misshapen toenails, but in the case of nail fungus, the toenails become yellowed and thickened—as opposed to thinner—and may crumble at the edges.


Meet a Toenail Fungus Expert



What are the symptoms of nail melanoma?

Subungual melanoma presents as brown-black discolorations of the nail bed. It can present as either a streak of pigment or irregular pigmentation. The discoloration can progress to thickening, splitting, or destruction of the nail with pain and inflammation.

What does toe nail psoriasis look like?

Symptoms of nail psoriasis include: Discoloration: The skin underneath your nails (nail bed) may change colors. These changes, called salmon patches or oil drop spots, may look yellow, red, pink or brown. Pitting: Your nails may develop dents or pits (cupuliform depressions).

What does psoriasis look like on nails?

If you have psoriasis, it's important to check your fingernails and toenails for signs of nail psoriasis. Common signs include: Tiny dents in your nails (called “nail pits”) White, yellow, or brown discoloration.


What does psoriasis on toes look like?

Psoriasis can also affect the nails and the soles of the feet. Color: Psoriasis and athlete's foot can both look scaly and red in people with light skin. On darker skin, these may also appear gray, purple, or dark brown. Psoriasis also tends to change color and appearance over time or develop overlying silvery scales.

Does toenail fungus mean diabetes?

People with diabetes are more likely than those without diabetes to get a fungal infection called onychomycosis. This infection usually affects the toenails. The nails will turn yellow and become brittle.

Is there a link between immune system and nail fungus?

Nail fungus can increase the risk of a bacterial infection of the surrounding skin in people with diabetes or a weakened immune system. The nail might also thicken, which can make it difficult to walk.


Does neuropathy cause toenail fungus?

Some people are more at risk for developing a toenail infection than others. People with other medical conditions like diabetes, peripheral artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, or a compromised immune system, are more likely to incur an infection.

What illness causes nail fungus?

What causes nail fungus? Tiny, microscopic organisms called fungi (the plural of fungus) cause a fungal nail infection. Many people pick up the fungi when they have skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection such as athlete's foot or ringworm on their hands.

Can toenail fungus spread inside the body?

Answer by dermatologist Corey Georgesen, MD:

Toenail fungus doesn't usually spread to inside your body, like the stomach. The fungi require keratin, found in your hair, skin and nails. They survive best on the skin.


What is plaque psoriasis on nails?

Nail psoriasis alters the way your toenails and fingernails look. They may get thick, develop pinprick holes and change color or shape. They also can feel tender and hurt. You can treat these problems with medicine. Cosmetic repairs can make your nails look better.

What is Trachyonychia?

Introduction. Trachyonychia is a disorder of the nail unit that most commonly presents with rough, longitudinally ridged nails (opaque trachyonychia) or less frequently, uniform, opalescent nails with pits (shiny trachyonychia). The term trachyonychia refers to 'rough nails.

What is Onychorrhexis?

What Is Onychorrhexis? Onychorrhexis causes ridges and splitting in your nails. Your nails may have several splits that cause triangle tears on the edges. Onychorrhexis involves the nail matrix, which is responsible for making your nail grow.


What does subungual hyperkeratosis look like?

If a nail is hit by subungual hyperkeratosis, he is thickened and has yellowish-white color. Consequences of the presence of subungual hyperkeratosis may be flaking of the outermost surface of the nail and detachment of the nail (onycholysis).

What do COVID nails look like?

What Do COVID Nails Look Like? Beau's lines are grooves that run horizontally across your nail plate, per an August 2021 paper published in the journal Skin Appendage Disorders. COVID nails/Beau's lines can look like ridges, grooves, or indentations, according to Dr. Day.

What does psoriatic arthritis look like on toenails?

Color changes. White, yellow, or brown discoloration and/or reddish marks (aka splinter hemorrhages, which are caused by tiny burst blood vessels under the nails) are common among people with psoriatic arthritis.


What does psoriatic arthritis look like on toes?

Psoriatic arthritis can also cause swelling of an individual toe so it looks like a sausage, called dactylitis. Some people also experience heel pain because the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, has become inflamed.

What does a cancerous nail look like?

a light- to dark-brown colored band on the nail that's usually vertical. a dark band on the nail that slowly expands and covers more of the nail. dark nail pigmentation that expands to the surrounding skin. a nodule underneath the nail with or without a pigmentation band.

What do nail tumors look like?

Signs to look for when examining your nail bed.

The most serious nail tumor, melanoma, may look like a brown, black, or grey line or streak on or underneath the nail. The nail may split or appear flaky and scaly. The texture of the nail might be thin, uneven, or ridged. Bumps may form under or around the nail.


How fast does toe melanoma spread?

“Melanoma can grow extremely quickly and can become life-threatening in as little as six weeks,” noted Dr. Duncanson.