Thick or discoloured nails
Fungus is one possible cause, but injury or psoriasis may look similar. A sample can help confirm infection before a long course of medicine.
Explore fungal infectionsChanges in your nails?
Find out what they mean.
A nail can change because of everyday damage, infection or a skin condition. Get the cause checked before choosing a treatment.
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Years of experienceWhat are nail disorders?
Nail disorders include changes in colour, thickness, shape or attachment, as well as problems with the skin around a nail. They can affect fingernails, toenails or both.
Not every damaged or yellow nail has a fungal infection. Repeated wet work, injury, nail products, psoriasis and other health conditions can affect nails too. The pattern and your history help guide the diagnosis.
What change have you noticed?
Brittle nails or ridges
Frequent water exposure, chemicals, ageing or repeated trauma can contribute. New deep grooves or unexplained changes need an assessment.
Small pits or dents
Pitting can occur with psoriasis and some other conditions. Mention skin patches, hair changes, or joint pain and stiffness.
Understand psoriasis
A nail lifting away
Injury, infection and psoriasis can cause lifting. Do not dig underneath or glue the loose area back down; get advice on protecting it.
Sore skin around the nail
An irritated nail fold may relate to wet work, picking, an ingrown nail or infection. Pain, warmth and pus need prompt attention.
A new or changing dark band
Many pigment bands are benign, but a new or changing band needs a dermatologist’s examination. It should not be hidden with a cosmetic treatment.
When to get it checkedFind the cause of the change.
- 01
Look at all the nails
The dermatologist may examine your skin and scalp too. Explain when the change started, which nails are affected, and any injury, manicure or new product use.
- 02
Test when the result will guide care
A nail clipping or sample from beneath the nail can check for fungus. A suspicious pigment band or growth may need specialist examination and sometimes a biopsy.
- 03
Review your wider health
Bring a medicine list and mention psoriasis, diabetes, circulation problems, pregnancy or breastfeeding. Blood tests depend on the findings or planned medicine; they are not needed for every nail change.
Choose care for the cause.
Treat confirmed nail fungus
Selected infections may need a nail-specific topical medicine or an oral antifungal. Ordinary antifungal skin cream does not reliably treat infection inside a nail. Oral treatment needs checks for interactions and possible monitoring.
Explore fungal careManage nail psoriasis
Topical treatment, selected injections or wider psoriasis treatment may be considered. The number of nails affected, discomfort and any skin or joint symptoms help shape the plan.
Explore psoriasis careProtect irritated or fragile nails
Reducing repeated water exposure, product irritation and trauma may help. Moisturising and practical changes at work or home can be part of care; supplements are not a substitute for finding the cause.
Address painful nail edges or folds
An ingrown nail, infection or persistent inflammation may need specific medicine, drainage or a nail procedure. The clinician will explain what is appropriate and arrange referral when needed.
OUR PROCEDURE
What happens at your appointment?
STEP 01
Examine the nail and surrounding skin
- Discuss the history
Explain pain, colour changes, lifting and everyday activities that affect the nail. If possible, attend with polish removed so the surface is visible.
- Agree any tests
The clinician may recommend a clipping, scraping or further examination. Ask what the test checks and how you will receive the result.
STEP 02
Make the next steps clear
- Match treatment to the diagnosis
Agree what to use, where to apply it and how long to continue. A procedure is not a routine step for every nail problem.
- Discuss safety and practicality
Mention other medicines and health conditions. Ask about side effects, monitoring, footwear, work and nail-product use.
STEP 03
Follow comfort and new nail growth
- Give new nail time to grow
Treatment can work before the damaged nail looks normal. Review changes at the base, discomfort and whether the problem is spreading.
- Reassess if progress stalls
Report new pain, colour changes or side effects. Persistent symptoms may need another test, a revised diagnosis or a different treatment.
Protect your nails between visits.
- 01
Reduce repeated wet work
Use suitable protective gloves for cleaning and wet tasks, and dry your hands afterwards. Apply a moisturiser to nails and surrounding skin if tolerated.
- 02
Trim gently and avoid picking
Keep nails manageable, avoid cutting cuticles or digging with sharp tools, and cut toenails straight across. Get help if a nail is too thick or painful to trim safely.
- 03
Give toes enough room
Avoid footwear that squeezes the toes. Treat athlete’s foot as advised, keep tools clean and do not share nail clippers when infection is suspected.
Nail improvement takes time.
Nails grow slowly. Fingernails usually replace themselves faster than toenails, and a damaged toenail can take many months to grow out. The treatment course and the time until a nail looks different are not always the same.
The goal may be healthier growth, less pain or control of infection and inflammation. Some nail damage can persist. Agree how to check progress instead of repeatedly switching products.
IN OUR PATIENTS’ WORDS
Consultation experiences at Layers.
These original Google excerpts describe general consultations and care. They do not identify nail treatment or its outcomes.
DN
DOONDI NEERAJ19Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
★★★★★
“The doctors listened carefully to my concerns and explained the treatment in a clear and professional manner.”
Consultation experience; condition not specified.
YS
YAMALI SAIKUMARVizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh
★★★★★
“She explained the treatment clearly and made me feel comfortable throughout the consultation.”
Consultation experience; condition not specified.
AP
Anmol PatelAhmedabad, Gujarat
★★★★★
“The doctor took the time to understand my skin concerns and explained the treatment plan clearly, without rushing.”
Consultation experience; condition not specified.
MS
mujeeb shaikKompally, Hyderabad
★★★★★
“Very patient ,humble and polite to answer every single query and build confidence.”
Consultation experience; condition not specified.
SR
Shresta ReddyA. S. Rao Nagar, Hyderabad
★★★★★
“The doctors explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable and confident.”
Consultation experience; condition not specified.
MŔ
Mr ŔøćkyKondapur, Hyderabad
★★★★★
“The doctor took the time to listen to my concerns patiently and explained the treatment options clearly.”
Consultation experience; condition not specified.
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOUR CARE
Meet our dermatology team.
01Is a yellow nail always a fungal infection?
No. Staining, injury, psoriasis and other conditions can change nail colour. Examination and, when useful, a sample help identify the cause.
02Can a nail problem be related to psoriasis?
Yes. Pitting, lifting and thickening can occur with nail psoriasis, sometimes without obvious skin patches. Mention joint pain or stiffness too.
03Does a dark nail band always mean cancer?
No. Pigment bands have several causes, but a new or changing band should be examined promptly. Do not rely on a photograph or cover it up instead of getting it checked.
04Can I treat nail fungus with an athlete’s-foot cream?
A product designed for skin may not reach fungus in the nail. Confirm the diagnosis and ask which nail-specific treatment is appropriate.
05Will I need the nail removed?
Not usually for every nail problem. A procedure may be considered for selected painful, ingrown or damaged nails. The reason, alternatives and healing plan should be explained first.
06Should I take biotin or other supplements?
Do not assume nail changes mean a deficiency. Discuss your diet, medicines and supplements with the clinician; testing or supplementation should address a specific need.
07Can I keep using gel polish or artificial nails?
Ask first if a nail is lifting, painful or infected. Products and removal methods can irritate or damage nails, and coatings can hide changes that need monitoring.
08How quickly will the nail look normal?
That depends on the cause, the nail and its growth rate. Improvement is often measured in months, especially for toenails, and a perfect cosmetic result cannot be promised.
BOOK A CONSULTATIONGet a plan for your nails.
Get a plan for your nails.
Start with an assessment.
Talk about the changes you have noticed and practical care for your everyday routine.
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