Any ideas why my big toenails have gone yellow? - NRAS

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Any ideas why my big toenails have gone yellow?

Beverlady profile image
20 Replies

I've noticed for the last couple of weeks my big toe nails have turned yellow they are also thick like rhino horn! I don't think it's a fungal infection they don't hurt itch or smell, I don't paint my nails either. Would any side effects cause nails to do this I'm on methotrexate and humira. Any ideas please ? Bev x hoping everybody is as pain free and happy as possible x

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Beverlady profile image
Beverlady
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20 Replies
earthwitch profile image
earthwitch

thats something to ask your GP, especially if its a recent change. It might point to something that could be treated.

helixhelix profile image
helixhelix

Fungal infections in toenails don't always itch or smell. But they are very slow to shift once established so if that's what you've got then the sooner you start the better. So do go see your GP. I've never had any problems with nails on MTX, but have had fungal infections in my toenails previously.

gillclark1 profile image
gillclark1

I have this too! Been told it's not a fungal infection, but could be linked with psoriasis, I will be interested to hear results too, nothing helps it, my hubby cuts my nails etc, the only thing that helps is to use an emery board to remove the yellow bits. Hope you all have a pain free day x

johng profile image
johng

I also had this & was told by my GP that the treatment was more painful than the complaint

terrie7 profile image
terrie7 in reply to johng

unless theyre really bad, treatment isn't painful at all. just like putting on nail color.

norfolkjo profile image
norfolkjo

Do u have psoriasis xx I spent years like that to find its psoriatic arthritis xx my finger nails are all loose . I noticed improvement on mtx though. In Manchester if you have ra you geyt free nhs podiatry as its like diabetes in that u xcan lose circulation in feet . I dont cut mine now they do xx

beauty96 profile image
beauty96

I made my husbands nails white again dabbing Manuka oil on them. Just a tiny amount each day. As far as I can tell it is a fungus. Heat inside shoes and sweat can do it.

Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17 in reply to beauty96

Happened to mine .. Feet swelled with RA and got very hot in my shoes and toenails thickened but I think it is the RA and meds too. I soak my feet every day in a bowl with a few drops of the tree oil and toenails are improving.

Beverlady profile image
Beverlady

Thanks for all your replies, probably best to visit my GP to see what's occurring - I will let you know Gill what it is, i don't have psoriasis arthritis Norfolk jo I was told it was RA but I think the two are very similar.

Thanks again well wishes to you all Bev xx

Ellioteva profile image
Ellioteva in reply to Beverlady

Hi Beverlady

It sounds like fungal infection

if it is the best thing to use i Vicks Vapour Rub you rub it on the affected nail every night

My husband had fungal nail and nothing the Dr gave him worked then a we were told about the Vick and after four years of nothing working within a couple of weeks using Vicks he's nail is now normal

Well worth a try

Good luck sweetie

Keep well xx

Scrappie54 profile image
Scrappie54 in reply to Ellioteva

How do you keep the vicks from coming off while sleeping? Have taken everything the dr told me to use and still have the yellow horn toe nail, even use the nail varnish for a year with no results.

terrie7 profile image
terrie7 in reply to Scrappie54

wear an old pair of socks and really gob it on there.

terrie7 profile image
terrie7 in reply to Ellioteva

yeah, I read that too.

Hi Bev I had this and was told it was a fungal infection. My podiatrist recommended filing the nail and putting neat tea tree oil on every day. It spread to the other toes. After a year and no improvement my gp gave me a special nail varnish, that didn't work either. So I had a blood test to check my liver function which was ok and I started Terbinafine. Gp said it would take about 6 weeks it took 18 months. My Rheumatologist said no one on mtx and anti Tnf can treat an infection with tea tree oil! So yes I would see your gp asap.

Neonkittie17 profile image
Neonkittie17 in reply to

I haven't been allowed to use the fungal nail varnish thing due to the fact it causes LFT to elevate. As mentioned above, tea tree oil had been my friend too! 😀

Barrister profile image
Barrister

Sounds like my toenails. I have PsA although don't have psoriasis. Clemmie

in reply to Barrister

Sounds like my toenails and I definitely have Ps in nails, ask to see a dermatologist who will be able to confirm.

Simba1992 profile image
Simba1992

If the nail becomes thick and yellow, then it is a fugus. A very common one and getting rid of it is nearly impossible. Doctors say it is your immune system that is unable to fight it and you will always get it back after a treatment with meds. A funny thing really happened with my husband who had been suffering from the fungus for many years then it suddenly disappeared after he had been on the antiinflammatory diet with me for some months. We could only interpert it as the diet gave a boost to his immunesystem. His diet is not as restricted as mine but he has left out gluten, dairy and sugers as well as legums and nightshades. Who knows 😊

terrie7 profile image
terrie7

get some nail stuff at the store. you just paint it on and in a few weeks its gone. you do have a fungal infection. you can try this also, take some warm water to put your feet in with a fourth of a cup of baking soda and a glass of apple cider vinegar. soak for half an hour. that will help, too. do it every night.

philvaughan profile image
philvaughan

I have this its caused for me by lack of oxygen do you have lines going down your finger nails if so look up clubbed fingers and toes

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