Question
About halfway thru this summer while removing toenail polish, I've noticed that both of my big toenails and one little toenail had developed white, dry patches/streaks.  At first I thought it was residue and tried buffing them, but they remain. It's now November and most of it's still there.  No further discoloration, no actual cracks, no flaking, no rashes, nothing that would tip me that I might have a fungus.  They're just rough to the touch.  I was wondering if I might have caused some kind of trauma to the nails by my shoes?  I work in an office and wear heels w/no hose or socks.  I'm at a loss.

Should I try some kind of OTC fungal treatment to see if they'll clear up or if they'll eventually grow out and I can clip them?  I wear a lot of open-toed shoes and would like my toenails to be pretty, not scarred!

Any advice would be helpful.  I've looked at pictures of nail fungus and none of them look remotely like mine. Help?!

Answer
Hi M

Wearing toenail polish on your toenails does cause trauma to the nails. This can result in white streaks and other abnormal appearrance.

You may have a fungal or bacterial infection of the nail.  I would recommend seeing a podiatrist and having a PAS stain and culture taken of the nail.  I would consider using a topical antifungal medication and if you need to wear toenail polish use one that has antifungal in the polish.  

If you do have fungus, there will be a laser shortly called the Noveon laser.  It should be available shortly after FDA approval.  There is a laser called the Pinpointe and it has been falsely advertised as FDA approved for toenail fungus in the US.  It is not.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
http://www.thetampapodiatrist.com
http://www.tampacryosurgery.com
http://katzpodiatristtampa.blogspot.com
http://painfoot.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/TampaPodiatrist
http://www.facebook.com/markatz?ref=name#/profile.php?id=100000260088035&ref=nam...

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.