Thickened or crumbling nails may be caused by injuries. Along with thickening, the nail may appear rigid, brittle, or yellowish. The nail may also feel pain when pressure is put on it. Eventually, the nail may loosen and fall off. This condition could be caused by injury or pressure from shoes, fungal infections, or conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, or vascular disease. Because thickened nails may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, it’s important for your podiatrist to assess this condition and to look at your medical history for possible related problems.
A black-and-blue nail is usually caused by sudden or repetitive injury to a toe. This might occur during sports that involve running or stopping quickly. The injury may also result from a heavy object falling on a toe. If your toe is black and blue but not injured, see your doctor immediately.
While this list of symptoms and injuries is extensive, it’s not exhaustive – and self-diagnosis is never recommended. If you notice any unusual pain, swelling, or other sensation in your feet and ankles that don’t go away with a day or two of rest and ice, please contact us promptly to set up an appointment.
