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Did your nails turn a purple hue and a different look on one of your legs? Wondering what could be the reason? Can a change in the appearance and color of nails indicate the development of various diseases? The question is answered by the drug. Katarzyna Darecka.
What could be the causes of purple nails?
Good morning, I am asking you with a question regarding purple nails. I am looking for advice and information on what may be the cause of my problem. Well, I noticed this morning that I have purple toenails. Interestingly, this only applies to one right leg. I didn’t notice any changes on my left leg or my fingernails.
The nails are not only purple, but also look quite strange. Some of them, apart from being purple, are also a bit blue. I haven’t hit anywhere, I haven’t had any trauma. They don’t even hurt me. Recently, I have not used any cosmetic foot treatments, including pedicures. I haven’t been to the pool or sauna.
What can be the cause of purple nails on my foot? Do purple nails indicate some serious disease? Could it be onychomycosis? Can these nails come off me? What is it like then treatment of purple nails? Can I apply any over-the-counter ointments? Should I see a doctor first? I am asking for advice.
The doctor explains the causes of purple nails
When the circulation in the body is normal, the skin should have its natural pink color. The blood reaches the feet through a network of arteries and arterioles that transport oxygenated blood from the heart to the organs. The blood flows back to the heart and lungs through a network of veins to take oxygen from the lungs and redistribute it through the arteries around the periphery. If our feet or hands (i.e. the most distal parts of our body) turn blue, it means that the problem lies in the supply of oxygenated blood to the most peripheral tissues.
The most dangerous cause of a blue foot may be limb ischemia. Ischemia can be caused by a reduction in blood flow through the arteries due to an obstruction in the vessel, e.g., atherosclerotic plaque or a thrombus. Limb ischemia risk factors high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, history of vascular disease, smoking and obesity.
In the case of limb ischemia, pain in the distal part of the lower limb, especially during walking, may also be associated symptoms, because it is during walking that the muscle cells require more oxygen, and if they do not receive it through obstruction to blood flow, we experience a feeling of pain. Other symptoms may also be a reduction in the thermal comfort of the limb compared to the healthy limb.
If you do not remember that, for example, a sock that you were wearing the day before or that something else could stain your nails, the most appropriate course of action is to go to the GP, and if there are symptoms such as pain and reduced heat in the limb – go to the nearest hospital emergency department to exclude limb ischemia.
The general practitioner and the HED physician should be able to carefully gather the history and examine and decide whether further laboratory and imaging diagnostics are required and, based on the results or clinical picture, decide on treatment.
An important part of limb ischemia prevention is a healthy diet excluding trans fats, smoking cessation, and, if you have diabetes, stringent glycemic control.
– Lek. Katarzyna Darecka
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