Have you
taken a look at your toes lately, a really good look at them? The color of your
toes can give you a huge warning sign to your health. The variation of color
changes ranges from the most common yellow to sometimes black toenails. Those
different colors can mean a variety of different things. Here is a quick guide
to what those colors mean, but I am not a doctor the best way to find out for
sure is to go to your doctor or podiatrist.
The different colors can result
from different infections and conditions of the skin. In about 50% of cases,
discolored nails are a result of infections with common fungi that can be found
in the air, dust, and soil.
·
Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria that infects
the nail bed and results in a greenish color to the nails.
·
Red or black nails may result from a hematoma -a collection of blood aka bruise-
under the nail as a result of trauma possibly an ingrown toenail
·
Other specific color changes in
the nails can be suggestive of diabetes
or of liver,
kidney, heart, or lung conditions. This is why doctors pay
specific attention to nails during a routine physical examination.
·
Nail pigment bands, discoloration that
appears as a brown vertical line on
the nail bed are called melanonychia. Melanonychia that is found to be skin
melanoma. These bands are most common in people who have darker complexions. It
is an overproduction of melanocytes in that area of the nail. An
estimated 70% of African Americans over 20 have nail banding, nearly all over
50 have it also.
·
Yellow
toenails could result from stained nail bed from dark colors or most commonly a
fungal infection.
Preventative action for all these
fungal infections can be as simple as not wearing the same shoes and socks
everyday. Fungi love warm, moist, dark places such as close-toed shoes.
Non-breathable material and sweat is a great mix for bacteria to grow. If you
work out often allow your shoes some time to air out and switch out your shoes
every once in a while.
Tips to help you
prevent infected toenails:
- During treatment, follow
your doctor’s instructions completely.
- Avoid walking barefoot in
areas that are public and damp.
- Avoid coming into contact
with anyone with a fungal infection.
- Avoid sharing towels,
bathmats and clothes while having or healing from a fungal infection or if
someone else has a fungal infection.
- Clean and dry your feet and
toes thoroughly and daily.
- Talk with your doctor about
all possible treatment methods before using the product.
- Talk with your doctor at the
first sign of discoloration.
- Maintain proper foot and
toenail hygiene.
- Never cut your nails too
short, and always cut them straight across.
Fungal infections are much easier to treat in the beginning, SO PAY ATTENTION. It is much less expensive to apply a topical remedy like tea tree oil, an essential oil of the tea tree that has been shown to have antifungal properties. Other natural remedies include an oral herbal treatment to aid the topical preparation. The hardest part of treating a toe infection is the penetration of the nail before the fungus changes the nail into a thick distorted version of itself, so treat it fast.
Pay attention to your body it only benefits you.
SuperbCoutureFootwear is a premiere online retailer that sells quality footwear and foot care products to women. They seek to inspire and educate women about proper use of footwear and foot care. To learn more about the products offered and the informative articles provided, go to superbfootwear.com
