Aibu to post this horrid pic of my nail?!

[NastyNail]

Sorry for the grim photo/topic but just removed my toe polish and discovered my big toe nail now looks like this. My polish has been on a few weeks but it wasn't like that before. I don't recall hurting it, and after a quick google a fungal infection doesn't usually seem to have the dark bits in. Any ideas? Sorry again for the awful pic!

It looks like the moisture has been trapped between your nail and the polish or it could possibly be a nail infection.

My toenails went grotty leaving the same polish on all summer (the topcoat was so good they didn't chip) though they weren't this bad - but they were a bit yellow and pitted, I've just had to cut them and buff them then leave them to grow out.

A chiropodist would know what to do perhaps? Or a nail tech?

The base of your nail looks healthy (where you can see the new growth) and the yellow bits are likely staining from the nail polish that's quite common especially if you didn't use a clear base coat under it. What colour was the polish? If your nail was quite flaky beforehand some of it could have worked its way in to a deeper layer. If you're not in pain I'd be tempted to leave it and see if it grows out, if it spreads or you start getting sore yes please go see a doctor or chiropodist.

Could also see if gentle buffing helps remove the worst of the discolouration (use a 240 grit or higher number so don't damage the nail) but don't go to town on it.

(p/t nail tech)

Thanks for the replies, it was an orangey red Jessica polish which I admit I've just kept topping up! Yes, the base of my nail does seem healthy, fingers crossed it's nothing major. I'll try giving it a gentle buff and see if that helps. Thanks for the advice.

I think it's a fungal infection.

Looks like a severe "greenie" it doesn't look thickened and flaky which usually indicates a fungal infection.

Keep nail polish off the nail, lightly buff it, keep it uncovered and as dry as possible and it should grow out.

Keep an eye on it and it it looks to be spreading or getting more discoloured it might need a trip to the dr/chiropodist