Question
Hi!  I hope you'll be able to help.  I am 42 and recently have noticed that my toe nails are coming off. I thought I had bumped one toe nail because it turned black and came off completely, but I don't ever remember bumping it.  Then today after my shower I noticed my big toe nail was a different color, so I touched it and noticed that 1/2 of the nail was peeling off.  I'm not sure what is happening, I take a vitamin regularly, but I don't drink enough milk.  I have a dead talus bone in my ankle, do you think that has anything to do with why I am now starting to loose nails?  I don't have any health insurance so I try not to make any un-necessary doctor appointments if I can treat it at home.  Please help, any information is greatly appreciated.
Thank You!
Cathy

Answer
Without trauma, toenails suddenly coming off, especially more than one, can be a sign of a larger issue going on.  It can also be a reaction to medication if you started a new one recently.  If you're feeling fine, you may want to try taking biotin, a vitamin that helps the health of nails and hair.  It is OTC (brand name Appearex).  If you are not feeling fine, if the same thing is happening to your fingernails, or it doesn't improve, see your podiatrist.

All the best,
Andrew Schneider

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