Question
bBoth of my big toenails are cracking horizantally at the cuticle and are yellowish in color. Can you give me some idea what might cause this?

Answer
Hi Michael, there are several things that could be causing this to happen to your toenails.  The most common is a fungal infection in the toenail.  Fungal nails can become discolored (yellow, brownish or white), thickened with irregular ridges, and crumbly.  It is not uncommon for it to start in the big toenails.  Other causes for cracking and discoloration can be some systemic diseases such as Psoriasis, Pulmonary disease, anemia and Diabetes.  These are just some of the many systemic diseases that can cause cracking and discoloration of the nails.  Sometimes, repetitive trauma can cause cracking and discoloration as well such as tight fitting shoes that hit against the nail and running.  Hope this helps you figure out the diagnosis.  If you have any other questions, let me know.

Sincerely,

Dr. Leslie Johnston, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry

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