Toenail Fungus???

ciao_bella · ‎03-13-2010

A while back, I noticed a dark, discoloration on my part of my big toenail. I thought I had dropped something on it or bumped it and it was bruised, so I dismissed it. I do my own pedicures and continued to use nail polish on my nails. Now that the winter is here, I haven't painted my toenails and noticed that spot is still on my nail.

I'm thinking it could be nail fungus. Never had nail fungus so I'm not sure how to deal with it. Any suggestions on how to successfully get rid of it, or should I just go to a podiatrist?

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Eileen in Virginia · ‎08-25-2010

If it's dark like a bruise, I'd have a podiatrist check it. One of my big toenails had a fungus for several years. In all that time, the nail was thick and the discoloration was yellowish or tan in color, not dark brown or black (like a bruise). It's possible that yours is a fungus, but the podiatrist would probably take a clipping and tell you exactly what you're dealing with. Then you could decide how to proceed.

Domestic Goddess · ‎03-19-2010

You might want to pick up a bottle of Tee Tree Oil and rub some on your toe several times a day. Tea tree oil is a natural anti fungal and anti microbial. It helps to heal infections. It worked wonders for me when I had a severe case of poison Ivy. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!

Trix · ‎03-16-2010

Please see a podiatrist. This happened to me a few years ago ... and it was NOT a fungus. It was the beginning of a foot condition for which I still have to be treated. All I can add is that my foot could be worse than it is if I hadn't seen a doctor about the blackened toenails.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

The very first time I ever got a pedicure I got toenail fungus. The podiatrist told me to use peroxide on it and to keep the nails trimmed short. That was his only advice. Ever since i get my toenails cut by the tech at the podiatrist office and I take care of calluses with my emjoy. No more pedicures for me EVER.

YorkieonmyPillow · ‎01-13-2013

I've had toenail fungus one time in my life. I got rid of it using vinegar.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

It doesn't sound like a fungus to me. I would see a podiatrist or dermatologist.

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brii · ‎06-20-2010

It might not be fungus. Has it grown up with your nail or stayed in the same spot?

You should probably see a podiatrist.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

I had this happen once and I cured it myself with distilled white vinegar. This is always a good thing to have on hand for a myriad of uses. I get the gallons. The husband will pick one up at Walmart for super cheap and even at my grocery store, where things are more expensive than other stores, it's extremely inexpensive for a gallon.

What I did was to put a little bit of white vinegar (always use that one) into a tiny little Tupperware container to keep in my master bath. Each morning and evening I took a Q-Tip, dipped it slightly into the white vinegar and just put the drop or two (or you could use a dropper if you have one and save on Qtips) onto the nailbed.

Do this twice a day and it will take a while, but it will grow out clean. It just takes a drop or two of white vinegar, but keep it up and you'll see improvement after a few weeks until it's totally gone. I never had it recur after that and it's been years.

Katmary · ‎03-10-2010

My doctor recommended Vinegar as well, diluted a bit in water for about 15 minutes.

I had problems after having my ingrown toenails cut all the way down so they wouldn't grow out the same, and instead, have had problems with thick nails and fungus. I'm not sure what went wrong, but it could be that I'd just had extensive back surgery when I had it done (wasn't planning on having it done but couldn't reach my feet!) and perhaps I couldn't dry my toes off enough? I've seen some advertisements for lasers for fungus treatment. Normally if it's a bad case, a doctor will prescribe an anti-fungal that you take for a decent amount of time. My doctor didn't want me to take it as it clashes with another medication I'm on and recommended putting 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar in a tub and soaking my foot. I'm still doing it, so can't comment on the success. As another poster mentioned, it looks a little yellowish and it's flaky under the nail. It has looked a little dark on the top of the nail because the nail thickened and where it was dark is where it was detaching from the nail bed.

I CAN say don't mix it up and use bleach! I kept forgetting to do it and did it with bleach the first time and didn't dilute it much- talk about burning red feet! When I called my doctor and reported in, she called back right away laughing and couldn't believe I did that! I use a tub from the hospital and put the vinegar in when I get in the shower, then fill the other half and switch feet halfway in between. It's my big toe on each foot, though on one the nail came off (gross) and it's doing better now. I asked about tea tree oil and she said you'd have to constantly apply it and it likely wouldn't work, but I figure it couldn't hurt to add it to the mix. Best of luck! You may want to make sure it's fungal and not a bruised nail or something else before going through with all this.