I’m losing toenails one by one!

[Dillidalli]

In the last 6 weeks I have lost 4 toe nails. Two little toe and two middle toe. There is no reason that I can think of for this. I do wear safety shoes but I have always worn them without problem. I walk a lot but have always walked a lot and I haven’t changed my shoes.

I did a big 28 mile walk but that was back in June, could it be that it has taken this long for damage to my toenail to present?
I have tiny toenails btw, not even 8mm long.

Medication has been the same for years, sertraline, cocodamol and naproxen. (Anxiety/sciatica)

I’m worried there’s an underlying issue like vitamin deficiency or something. Anyone had experience of this?

Thanks

Any recent viral illness?

Adults with Hand, Foot and Mouth often lose nails.

What are the nails like now they’ve fallen off, is the nail bed wet and gunky/crusty, or have they fallen off and left nice dry new (thin and delicate) toenail underneath them? If the latter then it probably does relate to the walk you did, and they’ve fallen off now the new nail is fully formed.

Foot specialist here. 5th met is the usual toe to suffer trauma, very few of my parients have proper toenails as such, as these toes are vulnerable to trauma from tight shoes/ safety boots, which are the worst for trauma.
Have you changed shoes recently? Maybe to narrow fitting. Alternatively, how old are you? Do remember from early 40’s lots of peoples feet change shape and size due to muscular changes. It may be time to assess shoe size/width.

Hope this helps.

No Illnesses, Dry, and like you said, left a thin toenail. Quite probably the walk then. I’ve heard of marathon runners losing nails soon after but obviously the stress they put their feet under is different as they are pounding the ground. It’s probably just taken it’s time to show on mine.

Meds wise, i only commonly see cancer /chemo patients who loose nails because of meds. I will bet trauma is causing the problem and the transition of toenail takes about 6 months, so if nail bed damaged you will see this coming through now from june ish time.

I’m 43 wow, so maybe that is it. I’ve been wearing the same safety shoes for years so maybe it’s not the shoes but my feet that have expanded. I have put a bit of weight on in the last year.

@Dillidalli

I’m 43 wow, so maybe that is it. I’ve been wearing the same safety shoes for years so maybe it’s not the shoes but my feet that have expanded. I have put a bit of weight on in the last year.

Sounds like it might be worth investigating for sure, good luck OP.

Thank you, you both make sense.

I had hand foot and mouth and lost all my fingernails . Have you a viral illness?