You probably don’t pay them much attention on a daily basis.

But your toenails could tell you a lot about your health, a doctor has revealed.

Examining your nails can reveal various health concerns, such as infections, diabetes, or even cancer, whether you’re dealing with nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, or circulatory problems.

Sheena Bagga, a pharmacist prescriber with LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, has shared crucial insights into nail health, including eight warning signs to be aware of.

‘Although frequently ignored, your toenails and feet significantly impact your overall well-being, so it’s vital to monitor their health,’ she explained.

‘While everyone’s toes look different, healthy nails should have a smooth surface with light pink or translucent colouration without much variation in shade or hue.

‘While a lot of the time problems with toes and nails are easily treated, if you are facing symptoms due to issues such as diabetes, poor circulation, or nutritional deficiencies, consuming a healthy, balanced diet is crucial to support your overall health.’

So, do you recognise any of these symptoms?

We should all be checking our feet and toenails regularly as they play a ‘huge role’ in our overall health, a doctor said

Yellow discolouration (left) could indicate a toenail infection while dark nail stripes (right) could signal a type of skin cancer

YELLOW DISCOLOURATION

This can indicate a toenail infection, Ms Bagga explained, and it can occur on any part of the nail. It causes the nail to discolour, become crumbly or thicken.

Another cause can be nail psoriasis, where the nail plate can become pitted with patches or lift up from the nail bed underneath.

To help prevent toenail infections, it’s good practice to keep your nails short, clean, and tidy, she advised. It’s also important to wear a clean pair of socks every day and wear shoes that fit correctly.

DARK NAIL STRIPES

This is known as Melanonychia, which can appear as a brown or black band running lengthwise along the nail.

Most of the time it is simply a normal variation in the pigmentation of the nail. However, in some rare cases, it is a tell-tale sign of Subungual Melanoma, a type of skin cancer.

‘To help prevent Melanonychia, it’s crucial to focus on good nail and foot hygiene,’ Ms Bagga said. ‘You also want to try and avoid any nail trauma – if you do injure your nail, allow it to fully heal properly and avoid picking at it.’

A mother-of-one is urging people not to ignore mysterious marks on nails after what she thought was a simple bruise turned out to be a deadly form of cancer . Laura Jennings, 40, from Leeds, first noticed a dark streak beneath her toenail in April 2022, but thought nothing of it. It turned out to be a deadly form of skin cancer

Swollen toes could indicate gout, which is more likely to occur in people who are overweight, while white spots on the nails can be caused by a deficiency of protein, zinc or iron

SWOLLEN TOES

This can be caused by a number of conditions including lymphatic issues, poor blood flow, or even gout.

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis characterised by sudden, severe joint pain, often in the big toe, caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. It is more likely to occur in people who are overweight, and consuming a healthy diet that aids weight loss can help manage the condition.

Meanwhile there are less serious causes of toe swelling such as sitting or standing for long periods of time, wearing shoes that are too small, being overweight, dehydrated, or eating a diet that’s heavy in salt.

‘Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can help with some of these common issues, along with regular exercise and movement,’ Ms Bagga advised.

WHITE TOENAILS

White lines or spots on the nail. also called ‘leukonychia’, are often caused by trauma such as stubbing your toe. However sometimes they can be a sign of deficiencies in protein, zinc, or iron.

Although rare, fully white nails are slightly more concerning and could be an indicator of a systematic illness in another part of the body, Ms Bagga warned, including liver cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes.

If your toes feel unusually cold and lose their colour (left) it could be a sign they are not getting proper circulation. Meanwhile Athletes Foot is a common fungal infection that shows as itchy white patches between your toes (right)

BLUE DISCOLOURATION

If your nails have a bluish hue and you notice that your toes feel unusually cold, it may be a sign that they are not getting proper circulation, Ms Bagga said.

This is a common symptom of a condition called Raynaud’s disease, which causes narrowing of the smaller arteries which supply blood to the extremities.

‘Regular exercise can help improve blood circulation, which can be beneficial for managing the symptoms of Raynaud’s, alongside helping you maintain a healthy weight,’ she added.

ITCHY TOES

Athletes Foot is a common fungal infection that shows as itchy white patches between your toes.

It can also affect the soles or sides of your feet, sometimes causing fluid-filled blisters.

To help prevent Athlete’s Foot, make sure to completely dry your feet after washing them, especially between your toes, Ms Bagga said, as well as wearing clean socks every day.

If nails change shape or look curved and ‘spoon’-like it could indicate an iron deficiency or aneamia, the doctor said

ULCERS ON TOES OR FEET

Unlike a blister that occurs under the skin, an ulcer is a break in the skin’s surface, appearing as an open wound.

It’s very important that these are looked after to reduce any risks of infection, the doctor warned.

‘During the time the wound is exposed, it can leave you vulnerable to developing an infection, which in serious cases can lead to amputation,’ Ms Bagga said.

SPOON NAILS

Ms Bagga advised that people inspect their toenails on a regular basis, as if they start to change shape and look curved or ‘spoon’-like, it could indicate an iron deficiency or anaemia.

Iron is essential for producing healthy red blood cells and maintaining proper nail health, so it’s important to speak to a healthcare provider who may recommend taking a supplement, she said.