I have a toe nail that appears to have two toenails growing...literally one on top of the other. Should I be concerned about this? It doesn't hurt at all but it just odd.
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I would suggest seeing a podiatrist (foot doctor), as you may not have any trouble with your double toenail now, but it would be wise to receive information about your specific condition and the underlying cause, in order to prevent any infections from developing. I assume it may be difficult to keep clean and to cut/trim your toenails?
Did you have a trauma or injury to your toenail?
You can locate a podiatrist by state at the link below:
December 21, 2008 - 7:20pmhttp://www.epodiatry.com/usa_clinics.htm
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I went to a chiropodist who told me that my toenail discoloration was because the nail had become detached. When she clipped it shorter, she noticed a similar thing, that I actually had one toenail growing on top of the other. I still don't see it myself, but that's what she said. Her advice was just to leave it and see what happens, given that any further action she would take had some chance of losing the nail entirely (maybe not a bad thing, in my opinion). I haven't yet sought an opinion from a podiatrist, but that will be my next step. I'm in Ontario Canada, so your definition of chiropodist versus podiatrist my differ.
May 12, 2009 - 9:07pmOne reason for one toenail growing on top of another is, as Alison suggested, a trauma to the toenail.
For example, my first toes are longer than the big toes. As a distance runner, even in properly fitted shoes, those two longer toes hit the inside of the toe box when I'm running downhill. The effect is known as "black toenails," the blackening caused by bloody blisters under the nails. The blisters will eventually heal, but the nail bed has been traumatized and the damaged nail will eventually drop off as the new nail grows underneath it.
Your podiatrist can help you determine the cause of your double growth. If it's caused by some repeated trauma to the toes, you may have to have your shoes fitted better.
Just one possibility.
May 13, 2009 - 4:35pmit is ok, it will just grow off. ITS VERY SEXY.
September 29, 2009 - 11:43amI have had mine for going on two years now... so it might not grow off anytime soon
November 3, 2009 - 1:30pmMy toenail situation is a little different. I am 43 years old, since I was little my two pinkie toes each have two toenails growing side by side. They are very gross looking, they grow out and when they come in they hurt,. they will dig holes in my canvas shoes. I have now insurance or money to see a doctor.
January 24, 2011 - 12:26pmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessory_nail_of_the_fifth_toe
November 28, 2011 - 2:33pmI've had four so far. I think it's from playing basketball. Instant and frequent stops which cause my toes to jam to the front of my shoe and slightly breaks off the nail like alysiak said. I don't think it's too serious or anything. To further prove my point of it being from playing sports is because it's always on my toe next to my big toe which sticks out just a tad bit further than my big toe.
December 20, 2009 - 8:22pmThank you for sharing; it is nice to hear that this can be common and most likely caused by a "trauma" to the toe (and, "trauma" does not have to be anything severe; but playing sports can definitely cause some trauma to body parts!).
Can you tell us more about your condition, when it happens after playing basketball? Have you ever had your toes checked out by a doctor, and if so, what was the diagnosis and recommended treatment? Any prevention tips?
December 20, 2009 - 9:08pmargh! i hate em
May 1, 2010 - 12:17am