How To Tell If Your Nail Discoloration Means Something More

Nail discoloration is something most people experience every now and then, and most often, we don't really think much of it. Whether caused by a short-term physical trauma (like a bruise — we've all accidentally closed a finger in a door before) or nail polish that's left behind a tint, more often than not, nail discoloration isn't something one should worry too much about. However, there are times when persistently discolored nails could be telling you something about your health. In fact, persistent nail color changes are something you should never ignore. 

To better understand what nail discoloration means, we reached out to double-board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology Dr. Brendan Camp. "Nail discoloration often suggests an injury or insult to the nail caused by an underlying medical condition," he tells us exclusively. "Some changes are innocuous, such as discoloration as result of a minor injury, while others may be more sinister, such as discoloration related to a nail melanoma." Ouch! If that hooked you us much as it did us, here's what you need to know about nail discoloration, including what different colors mean and when you should seek professional help.

When it comes to nail discoloration, quite a few colors can appear on your nails, and these colors can mean different things. The most common one is from an injury that causes "blood to form underneath the nail plate," Dr. Brendan Camp explains exclusively to Glam. "This can present as a dark purple or red discoloration. It eventually grows out with the nail, though it can take several months." Similarly, if you have black lines on your nails, they'll typically go away as your nail grows out.

Another common nail discoloration shade is yellow, and it's often a sign of fungal infections, though it can appear for other reasons as well. "This may be accompanied by thickening or splitting of the nail plate too," Dr. Camp adds. While discoloration from injury and fungal infection are common, there are also other kinds of discoloration that can be more serious. "Nail melanoma can present with a brown, black, or tan streak that is often multicolored and irregular in shape," Dr. Camp tells us. "Sometimes this discoloration extends to the skin around the nail or cuticle, a finding referred to as Hutchinson's sign."

Most of the time, nail discoloration goes away quickly and is nothing to worry about. However, sometimes, professional help is needed, and Dr. Brendan Camp shared exclusively with Glam just when you should go and get the discoloration examined by a professional.

"Nail discoloration that does not grow out with the natural progression of the nail plate, that persists despite the use of [over-the-counter] treatments, or that is associated with associated symptoms like pain, nail disfigurement, and irregular nail growth should be addressed by a board-certified dermatologist," he tells us. Of course, sometimes waiting for your nail to grow out takes a lot of time — so, if you're worried about any discoloration you're having (especially if it's brown or oddly shaped), it's best to go to a professional earlier rather than later to help put your worries at ease (or work toward a solution).

While most people will notice nail discoloration on their own, here's a friendly reminder that if you're someone who wears nail polish or gets any type of nail service (like acrylics or gel) done regularly, you need to make sure you check what your natural nail plates look like every now and then.

"Many people who wear nail polish are unaware of what their nails look like under the polish," Dr. Brendan Camp tells us exclusively. "Always check your nails when replacing your nail polish." Considering your polish when attending appointments is important, too. "Avoid wearing polish when seeing a dermatologist for a full skin exam so that your nails can be examined during the office visit," Dr. Camp adds. And if you notice discoloration but think it might be from a nail product, we recommend taking a break from it to ensure the discoloration is truly just a stain — you won't be able to tell if it's a stain or not if you cover it back up.