Why do my toenails look funny?

By Dr Ben Lemmens (Podiatrist)

There are many different causes for thickened, discoloured, abnormally shaped and ‘strange’ toenails.

Podiatry is a medical discipline which diagnosis and treat a wide range of skin and nail problems in the foot and lower limb. As we are and allied health discipline, you do not need a referral to booking with a podiatrist.

Around this time of year in the colder months, our feet often spend a lot of time rugged up in shoes and socks, however you may have noticed that one or more of your nails may have changed colour or become thickened during their winter hibernation. This may be the starting of an Onychomycosis infection (fungal infection) in your toenails.

Fungal nails present as a discoloured nail, with patches or streaks of white, yellow or brown and These nails often looks thickened to normal nail and often become quite crumbly. While these symptoms can be common, even for a trained professional it is often hard to distinguish the difference between a fungal nail and other pathologies.

The Foot and Ankle Clinic is proud to offer the DIAFACTORY on the spot dermatophyte testing procedure which can be completed inside a standard consult to determine whether or not your nail has a fungal infection. In as little as a few short minutes, you will have peace of mind as to what’s going on with your toenail, and whether or not some of the many treatments for fungal nail that we offer here at the foot and ankle clinic may benefit you such as; laser nail therapy, topical antifungal treatment, oral antifungal treatment, general nail care, onychomycosis.

If you have a strange toenail that looks unsightly, abnormal and you have no idea what’s going on, now is the perfect time to book in with one of the Podiatrists at The Foot and Ankle Clinic to learn more about what’s going on with your toenails.

Consulting at Warragul, Moe, Traralgon and OUR NEW CLINIC IN PAKENHAM