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Q: 

Why would my toenails be dry, brittle and have white spots/patches? Could it be a fungus? Can my dermatologist help me?

By Anonymous June 22, 2010 - 5:10pm
 
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I noticed the white markings after taking off toe nail polish that I had worn for a couple of months. That was a couple of months ago and it is still there. I thought it would grow out but it looks like they are not going away.

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Anonymous

I have this issue too. I keep polish on my toenails all the time, and every time I remove it they're very brittle and have white patches. If I go a few months without putting polish on them, the new nail growth is perfectly normal. I believe long term exposure to polish damages them over time.

October 4, 2014 - 10:23am
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

Thanks for your question. The health of our toes can often be an indicator of our overall health. Here's a link to information about nail diseases, as well as pictures, that will help you figure out what's going on. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/naildiseases.html

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, a toenail fungus is usually a dark color and sometimes results in a foul smell. You can learn more about fungal infections here: http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/Foot-Health/FootHealthBrochures/GeneralFootHealthBrochures/NailProblems.aspx

June 23, 2010 - 5:17pm
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