Pitting of nails and increased nail thickness, as examples, can be manifestations of psoriasis. Outside Influences Toenails grow constantly. Some conditions make them grow faster than usual, such as an excess of thyroid hormone, and the injury recovery process. A lot of energy is required for toenail growth relative to the small amount of tissue involved. Some nail problems can be conservatively treated, others require partial or total removal of the nail.
Healthy nails are pink, free of dirt and impairment, and grow into the grooves normally.
Because of their association with health-related diseases, toenails of persons of all ages can undergo an array of changes, some of which are relatively common. They can become brittle, curved, discolored, infected, clubbed, pitted, and grooved. In some cases, the nail falls off and a new one grows in. These conditions may be caused by injury, warts, tumors under the nail, infection, poor circulation, poor foot hygiene, and congenital problems with parts of the nail that normally grow into the skin. Older persons with poor circulation are prone to having their nails become discolored or darkened, thick, or brittle.