My toenails seem to be turning brown. Â The photo above isn’t doing it justice, but I’ve stopped wearing flip flops for the time being.
I’m starting to worry that I might be coming down with gangrene gangbrown on my feet.
Or maybe I just need to start taking better care of my feet.
Up until  few years ago, I used to cut my toenails with the tools God gave me…. my teeth.  I have never gotten a “pedi” and I can’t tell you the last time I put lotion on my feet.
I remember looking at my grandmothers feet a few years back and thinking, “my grandmother’s toenails look like they’re made of balsa wood.” Â SO maybe it runs in the family. Â Although, my mom has really pretty toenails.
They say that your feet are more important than your teeth or your children. Â I should start taking better care of my feet. Â But until then, if any of you have any suggestions on how get my toenails back to normal, I’d love to hear it.
DanCF
May 22, 2012 at 10:37 am
Hate to say it Matt, but you may have a fungal infection in your toenails. I had this, and they turned kind-of yellowish and got thick and hard. The dermatologist gave me some kind of medicine, I think maybe an antibiotic or something, and it cured it. Of course, I’m no doctor, so don’t let me diagnose you. If it bothers you enough, go see a “real†doctor…….
Ashley
May 22, 2012 at 10:37 am
This treatment totally works but you have to drive to Kingston, NY because it’s the only Podiatrist close to here that does this http://www.tobackpodiatry.com/fungal_nails.html
The laser is pain free and it takes a couple treatments over the span of a year but it is the most effective treatment out there thus far.
cac
May 22, 2012 at 10:54 am
In the meanwhile, rub some tea tree oil on it every day. It actually works!
Hopeful
May 22, 2012 at 11:49 am
Why do people get pedicures? I’m perfectly capable of clipping my own toenails and throwing some polish on in the summer time. I’m always so embarrassed for the people who have to clip other people’s toenails. That has to be the grossest, most degrading job there is. I couldn’t imagine asking someone else to do it for me. But I’d clip your nails, Matt….Actually, no. No I would not. I can’t even be in the same room when my current husband clips his.
DL
May 22, 2012 at 11:50 am
Looks like the beginning of a fungal infection to me. Better to have it looked at sooner rather than later because if it is a fungal infection it can take a very long time to get rid of it. Your doctor can prescribe an anti-fungal topical cream (far better than taking oral med like Lamisil (potentially bad side effects). I also agree with #3 – applying any kind of oil to your toenail makes if more difficult for the fungus to prosper. Lastly, if it is a fungal infection, it thrives on sugar so cutting back on sugar in your diet will help.
Mike
May 22, 2012 at 12:01 pm
it’s probably fungal infection. I had it and Dr. DiCaprio on Union street (near brandywine) prescribed medicine that took care of it, but it takes a while to grow out and eventually look normal – good luck!
Ribbon
May 22, 2012 at 1:17 pm
how about heels? I have the worst, rough heels imaginable & I’ve tried every lotion (costly & cheap) on the market- HELP!
fred
May 22, 2012 at 1:30 pm
it’s a fungus… i had same issue…
Perrin Edwards, DPM took care of it promptly he’s @ 1692 Central Ave,
518-869-5799
He’s great and so is his staff you’ll really like his nyc accent an attitude..
christy the homebirther
May 22, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Breastmilk. I’m serious.
frank the foot
May 22, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Yes it is a fungus. You can cure it yourself very easily. Drink twice as much vodka as usual and smoke at least three joints a day and you won’t even notice how bad your toenails look. Or you do the old fashion thing and go see a dr.
Jeff
May 22, 2012 at 3:33 pm
hobbit feet.
Helen
May 22, 2012 at 3:52 pm
You probably have a mild case of a toe nail fungal infection. I had a slightly worse case of a mild infection and went to Dr. Mark Friedman who said your options are usually the following: 1) a topical “nail polish” type of medicine 2) oral medicine 3) surgery (but my case wasn’t that severe to have surgery to cut the toenail off)
But he also mentioned it will take about a year for the nail to grow out.
I opted for the prescription topical “nail polish” even though he tried to sell me his brand located in his “store” which was over $40 a bottle where as my prescription co-pay for the prescription was ony $10. So I made him write me a prescription
I did notice a slight improvement, but I wasn’t as diligent in applying the “nail polish” twice a day as recommended.
I would suggest finding some over the counter medicine to apply to the toe nail and just monitor it to make sure it is growing out and not getting worse.
If it really bothers you go see a doctor, but I wouldn’t recommend Dr. Friedman – he was such a “salesperson” that I didn’t go back for the follow up visit a month later b/c it was clearing up and I didn’t want to give him more business and it wasn’t necessary to pay another $30 co-pay for him to tell me it was clearing up.
Good Luck
Liza
May 22, 2012 at 7:52 pm
White Vinegar Put white vinegar on the toenail twice a day everyday until it grows out. It really works. Fungus can’t grow in an acidic environment. And it will taste like pickles when you trim the old fashion way.
Karabean
May 22, 2012 at 9:07 pm
I read somewhere that applying Vicks Vapor Rub to your toe will help get rid of the nail fungus. You have to do it for a period of time for it to be effective though.
appreciative
May 22, 2012 at 11:29 pm
In 2nd place we have: “And it will taste like pickles when you trim the old fashion way.”
The winner is: “hobbit feet” !!!!
Thanks for playing!
Pete
May 22, 2012 at 11:34 pm
Did you Instagram your big brown toenail?
Jen
May 23, 2012 at 8:03 am
Please wax your toes!
Laurasue
May 23, 2012 at 10:18 am
Rub tea tree oil on your nailbeds and cuticles twice a day. It works great and doesn’t have the side effects of the oral medications that are normally prescribed.
Kyle
May 23, 2012 at 10:52 am
Try soaking your feet in a foot bath of hydrogen peroxide and warm water a few times a week and see if that makes a difference. I’ve seen that work.
Jessica
May 23, 2012 at 12:31 pm
I’ve heard that soaking your feet in apple cider vinegar can help with toenail fungus, as well as the previously mentioned tea tree oil and vics vapor rub. But the sucky part is, once you have the fungus, you’ll always have it. Symptoms may come and go, but it is in your bloodstream, so it can always come back. Even with the oral meds, once they are out of your blood stream, the fungus can resurface. Fungus thrives in dark damp areas, which is why it is much more common on toe nails than finger nails. So maybe you should let those babies out in the world… a little sunshing might do them some good!
DL
May 24, 2012 at 8:45 am
I just happened to see an anti-fungal cream/nail polish 1 oz tube (non-prescription) for sale in the Vermont Country mail-order catalog for $20 if you are interested and do not want to deal with going to your physician to get a script.