a little over 2 months ago I noticed bruising under the nail of my second toe on my right foot. I was surprised at the time as I do not recall any accidents or incidents previously to it. Over this time the bruising has appeared to spread somewhat and is not dimishing in anyway. There is no feeling of pain, in fact this toe appears more resillent to pain tests than the other toes. The nail has become dry and brittle, it is also starting to deform its shape somewhat, appearing angulated and has started to go white at these points. I am worried that this could be the result of 16 years of smoking 10-20 cigarettes/day, a habit I recently kicked. The only other contributing factors that are outside of my norm, are that I just returned form 3 years of living in Sth America and perhaps I came into contact with something there; and that I have, for the first time in my life, started working in an office where I am required to wear high heels and boots, a footwear I had never previously owned.