What is the Cause of Deformed Toenails?

What Causes Deformed Toenails?

Deformed toenails can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'worrying'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose deformed toenails, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "deformed toenails" as a symptom. Here are four possibilities:

Fungal Infection
Zinc Need
Candida / Yeast
Psoriasis

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

weak sexual desire

indoor allergies

sparse head hair

calcium supplementation

meal-related bloating

discomfort caused by mold/mustiness

vaginal yeast infection

adult acne

history of non-vaginal candidiasis

painful swallowing

copper supplementation

many white spots on fingernails

... and more than 70 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of deformed toenails:

Cause	Probability	Status
Psoriasis	95%	Confirm
Zinc Need	17%	Unlikely
Candida / Yeast	4%	Ruled out
Fungal Infection	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate abnormal fingernails and toenails, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Are any of your toenails deformed for unknown reasons? Toenails normally grow straight and smooth, the same width from top to bottom.

Possible responses:

→ No / it is due to injury or cutting / don't know
→ Probably/minor episode now resolved
→ Major (unsightly) episode now resolved
→ It is a current problem, not serious
→ Current major problem, unsightly and embarrassing

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate history of deformed toenails, deformed toenails or very deformed toenails, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Fungal Skin / Nail Infection

Psoriasis

Nail abnormalities are a possible symptom of psoriasis.

Yeast / Candida Infection

Zinc Requirement

Distorted nails are a common symptom of zinc deficiency.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™