Is two toenails uncommon? Should I be concerned?

I have this problem intermittently on both of my middle toes. Once or twice a year, I get two layers, but only on the outside half of my toe. Once it starts to lift, I cut it off to the point where it's one nail again (to avoid it catching on anything and pulling off), and then just let it grow out.

I had this problem with my left big toe. I am not athletic so that was not the problem. I first noticed a ridge across my nail but thought nothing of it. Then one day the edge caught on my sock and became loose. I then removed it expecting a lot of pain and maybe even bleeding, to my surprise there was another nail underneath. It was not painful and doesn't bother me. But the "new" nail doesn't seem to be growing as fast as the others. Just kinda strange.

I also have this problem on both of my second toes. My problems are from the toes being stomped on playing soccer. Both toes have been stomped on so heavily that the nail turned completely black and then fell off. Ever since this happened, both toes now always grow two nails.

My experience is much like one of the previous posters in that I have no pain but do get slight discomfort. When that happens I cut off the top nail (no blood or pain) to reveal a new baby nail growing underneath. It's almost as though once the top nail reaches a certain length it stops growing and a new one grows beneath.

Both toes have been like this for years now so I don't see it stopping!

I brought it up with my doc. Basically said just to keep filling both the nails. And it wasn't worth taking any further unless it became a real issue... I.e put up wih a grosse nail unless it causes discomfort. No real advice. It seems for some people the top nail falls of quickly, others not so lucky and have this issue for years

Pat...I've never had any bleeding but this last time I did have a discoloration under the right toe (I have one on each foot - the toe next to my big toe.)
I can't imagine what a doctor would do in my case.
The under nail is attached to the toe like a regular nail and the upper nail is growing right along with it and in my case, at some point they just seem to seperate and I can feel discomfort - not pain - just a feeling of pressure and sensitivity in my tennis shoes. That's when I know it's time to peel and clip them apart.

After about 4 or 5 days the under nail starts to toughen up and become a regular nail.
I've never asked my doctor because it never seems to be bothering me when I have an appointment and then I just never think about it.

The last time they came apart was about 3 years ago. Weird huh? Usually it's just thicker than the rest of my nails and I clip them like any other nails.

I did mention to my husband that I'm kinda worried about when I get too old to tend to them on my own...yikes!

To the last three anons - have any of you seen a doctor for this? I'm just curious as to what advice a doctor would give someone, or if people are pretty much on their own in figuring out what to do. The above description of black nails and blood gushing out is pretty graphic, but I'm so glad that you took the time to share your story and what you actually do as this can help others. Pat

I've been having this problem for over a decade. For me the problem is basketball. I don't play during the winter, then summer and fall it's six months of basketball, constantly, on daily basis, and nails on second, third and fourth toe first go black, I use clippers to cut off the top layer and all the blood comes gushing out and so the black nails are gone. What happens then is that two different nails grow on each toe, one close to the skin, and another one on top. Within two to three weeks the top one is ready to go. Sometimes it will fall off on its own, but usually it needs a bit of help, mainly to pull it out of the skin a bit. Doesn't hurt, though it can look scary. When that nails is out of the picture, you will see there is a new nail underneath it. That's the healhy, long-term nail. The problem with that nail can sometimes be that it starts to ingrow, so pay attention to it.

I have this too. On both of the toes next to my big toe (one on each foot) It breaks off eventually (the top layer) and a few years later...it happens again. No pain, but it's ugly for a few weeks after the top layer comes off.

I've looked so hard for this topic, and so happy to hear from others in a similar situation, and as such, I hope being thotough will also help anyone in future....

So, I currently have this 2 toe thing, also on my 2nd toe (the one next to the big one), and after reading some comments, it seems my new running ways seem to be also a likely cause.

I first made the discovery as I began to feel a build up of pressure, the nail was already a bit darkened and cracked, something I presume would just grow out and wasn't a concern. But while clipping I noticed that under the nail (which already would grow slightly upwards since forever, was just solid nail. And like someone else commented, I just scrapped and hacked my way through it all.
And discovered what I suspected to be a second nail, based on how solid it was. I was surprised at how far back i could cut, as it no longer hurt like it usually does if you trim to far.

Then decided to let it be for a few weeks. However both nails continue to grow. I will have to see a doctor, but am hoping that the top one just drops off.. as I kind of like the second one which has a nicer shape :) plus it seems the choice would otherwise be between a v.weird looking nail, or a build up of pressure that needs regular adressing with severe clipping.

I have the same thing! I'm glad its not from a fungus. Mine was from a trauma from bad sneakers...