At the start of the day, it is hard to take care of everything.
This includes checking how our nails look especially if we will just be wearing closed shoes.
If we are not particular with how our nails appear we might fail to check some irregularities that are going on such as dark toenails.
We might need to spend extra time to put some nail polish if we are to wear open sandals.
Below are some of the causes of darkening toenails:

• Not wearing socks in closed shoes.
  When you do not wear socks, there is a high risk of bacteria build up inside your footwear due to sweat.
  
• Wearing nail polish with formaldehyde.
  Nail polish which contains formaldehyde causes the nail to darken.
  This is because formaldehyde leaves a stain on the nail plate and slowly destroys its keratin.
  
• Wearing tight footwear.
  Tight footwear causes trauma to your toes.
  Once this happens, you will see some dark blue color under your nail plate.
  This will then turn to dark brown.
  
• Toenail fungus infection.
  Once you suspect that you are developing nail fungus, you have to act on it immediately.
  If it gets worse you will have a hard time treating it.
  

Of course we want to have beautiful feet for all occasions.
Here are the few things that you can do to eliminate discolored toenails:

• If you have nail polish, remove it and change it using a primer first.
  Primer is applied first before the actual nail polish so that formaldehyde will not penetrate your nails.
  
• If your nails already have stains, you can remove that by soaking your toes in a solution with part lemon juice and water.
  This may sound like bleaching - yes in a gentle manner.
  Don't use bleach to remove the stain; you might burn your skin.
  
• If you see other forms of discoloration other than staining like bluish, yellowish, white and brown colors, you might already have nail fungus.
  To prevent other complications verify with a doctor and see what toenail fungus treatment is most applicable for your condition.
  
• If it is not nail fungus, your doctor can help you with further actions that should be done to save your nails.
  

What are the signs of nail fungus?

• Yellow and white lining at the tip of your nail
• Dark spots emerging on the nail plate
• Skin around the nails feels itchy
• Thick toenails