I’m trying to get an idea if I have nail fungus or an outbreak of psoriasis under my big toenail. I have a routine Doctors appointment on the 20th in which I’ll ask him, but in the mean time I’d like to float this out there so I can sleep at night (I’ve heard toenail fungus is quite an ordeal to treat). If it’s psoriasis, I’ll be relieved!
About 2 to 3 months ago a portion of my left big toenail turned a reddish brown (more red than brown). I figured I must have banged it on something, so ignored it.
The past few weeks it has become more yellowish, with the nail separating from the nail bed.
I just soaked it in warm water, then was able to get a nail file under that area and scrape out dead skin (barf). I then cut the nail back. I’m now soaking again to see if I can get all of the affected nail off.
Anyway, I have suffered “psoriases like” outbreak (said the Doctor) in both ear folds, behind one ear and a little on the back of my scalp, (and elsewhere in small areas). For it, I was prescribed a cream that merely keeps the area moist, without seeming to heal it.
So I’m curious, would psoriasis under the nail fit the above description? Does a fungul infection start off red/brown and stay in the same area until that whole part turns yellow, seemingly without spreading?
Well, I’m off to peel up more nail (barf) and scrape out more deadskin (barf) and cut the nail back (barf)!
I’m not a dermatologist, so of course you’ll take what I say for what it’s worth, and get the doctor to look at it, but that does sound like psoriasis.
By all means keep your nails short, but don’t go cutting them back too far – it won’t help, and you could damage your nailbed.
Thanks. I ended up cutting most of the affected toenail off (before reading your post!).
It is pretty gross to be able to separate the nail from the toe and scrape a bunch of gunk out from under it. Actually, it’s gross but also strangely satisfying.
Forgot to add: the nail seemed fine (though thick) when pulled up, as though that gunk caused the yellowish discoloration.
Sounds exactly like toenail fungus to me. Then again I have no idea what psoriasis under a nail would be like, but you’re describing exactly what happened to me.
How did the fungus start out, as far as visually? Did you notice a discoloration at first, with an otherwise healthy nail?
If I do have fungus, can I just have the nail removed in order to combat it? From what I have read, the issue with treatment is getting to the nail bed, so why not just remove the nail and combat the fungus directly, versus medication (that I hear may do harm to your liver)?
Personally, I’d love to have both big toenails permanently removed. All the damn things have ever done for me was give the pain of an ingrown toenail now and then, the bastards!
You can buy OTC nail fungus treatments that you brush on and under the affected nail. One is called FungiNail, and can be bought in most Sally Beauty Supply or CVS/Walgreen’s/RiteAid.
I’ve seen it on clients (I am a cosmetologist/nail tech) that have used it, and those treatments seems to have decent results within a few weeks. And yes, the scraping out of the gunk is VERY satisfying, but be careful, the action of the scraping could actually be spreading the fungus over a wider area of the nail bed. Good luck!
My psoriasis is typically present only on my hands, although I’ve had outbreaks on my face, elbows, knees and feet at various times.
I’ve had psoriasis under my fingernails, but never toenails.
When I’ve had outbreaks under my fingernails, it is quite painful as it is usually accompanied by the skin cracking. I haven’t noticed any discolouration of the nail.
FWIW, my guess is if you’ve not had psoriasis on your feet in the past, and you haven’t experienced pain consistent with skin cracking, it wouldn’t be psoriasis.
On the other hand (ha ha), my experience with psoriasis has been very similar to what the OP describes (though primarily under my fingernails, rather than toenails). I’d had a couple of minor outbreaks of what I assume now to have been psoriasis in other areas (a small spot on my scalp, one on my upper arm), but it was my fingernails that drove me to a dermatologist for a diagnosis. I hadn’t had any previous problems on my hands, and there was no pain, as such, just occasional slight discomfort, and not even from all the affected nails.
It seems that psoriasis can sometimes be tricky to diagnose because it varies so much – as always, best see the doctor.
If you have the classic toenail fungus, the nail becomes yellow & a bit crumbly. When you cut it with scissors it feels soft and smooshy & tends to fall apart. It does tend to separate from the bed & cutting off all the diseased portion is both good to do medically and satisfying psychologically.
I’d used an OTC topical for awhile which seemed to slow, but not reverse the process. Went to the dermatologist. He took a quick scraping, eyeballed it under a microscope to confirm the fungus and 5 minutes later I was out the door with a scrip for terbinafine in pill form. 1x day for 3 months, $4 for each bottle of 30 pills from the local pharmacy, and now the fungus is all gone. The nail(s) are growing back good as new.
I too had read somewhere that treatment was a challenge. Apparently that info is/was outdated. The doc was very clear that A) what I had was typical, ordinary, what everybody gets fungus. And B) the treatment works, period. This wasn’t a case of we’ll try it and maybe if we’re lucky you’ll get partial remission.
Pure anecdote, but for $12 in pills and one office visit it was a clean kill on *my *problem. Here’s hoping yours is the same.
It started as a little dark purplish spot near the side edge of the big toe nail, with some yellow coloring around it. I thought I’d bruised it somehow but it just got bigger. Lighter purple but more yellow. Then the funky flaky crumbly stuff under the nail that you could scoop out to thin it. I had zero luck with Fungi-nail, a wee bit of change after using Vicks vapor rub for a few months, no luck with soaking it in vinegar (that’s how my ex got rid of his). The one thing that halted it was accidentally dropping the end of a dresser on my toe and losing the entire nail. It’s grown back nice and pretty!
It was mighty painful treatment though.
Terbinafine (Lamasil) is supposed to work really well but side effects can be an issue for some people. Not recommended at all if you have any liver trouble.
Yeah. The doc had me do a blood test after 1 month to ensure I wasn’t have damaging side effects. I didn’t so we continued the 3-month course.
I also checked with my flight surgeon before I began. They’re real big on anything which has a poor risk/reward benefit. When he gave the green light I felt confident starting the course of meds.
Certainly the OP is well-advised to discuss this with the doc.
Another recommendation to see a doctor (podiatrist).
Here’s my story. I had toenail fungus for over 10 years. I tried many different things but couldn’t get rid of it. The “best” prescription treatment, Lamisil, wasn’t available to me because of contraindications with more important medicine I’m taking.
I finally went to a Podiatrist because the nail was starting to hurt me. He took one look at it and said, “that’s a damaged nail. Did you ever drop something heavy on it or damage it some other way when you were younger?” I told him I had had the nail removed once as a kid due to chronic ingrown toenails.
I also told him that I had tried all of the fungus remedies (except Lamisil) and none worked. “They wouldn’t, because that’s not toenail fungus”. Skipping to the end: I had the toenail surgically removed about 4 months ago and no problems since then.
Moral: get thee to a Podiatrist and get a good diagnosis.
Well, it looks like it is fungus. I got a referral to another doctor to have the nail looked at. He’s pretty sure it is fungus, but took a culture. In the mean time he cut away all the nail up to the healthy skin (it really isn’t that big an area still).
He mentioned medication, I said I’d rather not. He agreed, citing only about 60% or so effectiveness. So, I asked him about just pulling the nail and I’ll clean the area and use a topical cream. He mentioned cutting most of the nail off AND killing the nail bed.
Whoa, there doc! How about just lose the nail and see if my idea will work. Yeesh. Do you lop a guys arm off because it’s broken?
So, that may be the next step, depending on lab results. For the time being I am soaking it in a solution of warm water and bleach (just a little bleach). Hopefully, it will go away. I have pretty much just healthy nail left with just a small fringe of discoloration on the edge. I make sure to pry up the nail as much as possible while soaking (not that there is much to pry up).
Side note: he did his exam without gloves on (barf). Then he put gloves on while getting the sample and cutting the nail back. Then we had our conversation, with him still wearing the gloves. He touched his glasses, nose and ear a few times while talking, all with the gloved hand that touched the sample (barf). I know it’s all fine, but damn, I wouldn’t put those tainted gloves anywhere near my face after touching a fungus nail! Yuck!
I had toenail fungus infection on my big and little nail on one foot for years. Finally got sick of it and the doctor prescribed the Lamisil Oral Pills. They worked great! It took a few months for the nails to become completely clear. Also, the little one was growing all weird, but after a few months return to normal growth and looks like nothing was ever wrong.
I will tell you one thing is the Lamisil is VERY expensive even with insurance. I went on the internet and purchased the meds from a Canadian pharmacy. I got the full supply for $70. So if anyone here gets that script, do a little research and you might save a TON of money.
