Black toenails can result from an injury, a fungal infection, or pigmentation changes over time. More serious causes include heart disease or melanoma. Treatment for black toenails will vary ...
When to Be Concerned About a Black Toenail. While most black toenails are due to minor issues like bruising or pressure, you should seek medical advice if: The toenail turns black without any known injury; There’s increasing pain or signs of infection (pus, warmth, redness) The nail is lifting or separating
What Causes Black Toenails? Black toenails can stem from minor injuries to underlying health conditions. Here’s why your toenail turns black. Trauma and Bruising. Trauma is the most common cause of black toenails. It occurs when the toenail experiences a sudden or repetitive force, which tears the tiny blood vessels beneath the nail bed ...
Black toenail fungus is caused by dermatophytes, and causes color changes, thickening, and separation of the nail from the nail bed. ... Up to half of adults over the age of 70 may have toenail fungus, according to the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. A previous toenail injury, psoriasis, hyperhidrosis, and smoking can also ...
Whether you’ve noticed a small black speck or a larger brown discoloration, these changes can prompt questions and concerns about their origins and what they mean for your health. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the common causes of a dark spot on toenail, including toenail fungus, trauma, and more serious conditions like nail melanoma.
Black toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a common fungal infection that affects the toenails. It is characterized by the discoloration of the nail, turning it black or dark brown. This condition is caused by various types of fungi, typically thriving in warm and moist environments such as sweaty shoes or public swimming pools.
Aside from trauma, some other common causes of a black toenail include: Ill-fitting or tight shoes; Fungal infection; Repeated pressure from running or athletic activities. One thing that accompanies most discolored toes is pressure underneath the nail. Because the nailbed fills with blood, there’s less room for everything, and that causes ...
What Causes Black Toenails? Subungual Hematoma: There is a good chance that your black toenail is bruising or bleeding underneath the nail, also known as subungual hematoma.This can occur after Stubbing your toe, or another similar injury that caused breakage in the blood vessels underneath your nail bed.The black colouring throughout your nail is the leakage from the broken blood vessels.
Generally, black toenails aren’t severe and are more of a sight for sore eyes. But you can do the following to be proactive: Observation and self-care: If the black toenail is painless and there are no signs of infection, you can let the nail heal independently.It will typically take several weeks for the discoloured nail to grow naturally.The discolouration could take 6-8 months to disappear.
Black Toenails. A black, purple or brownish discoloration under or involving a toenail is frequently due to trauma to the toenail, such as when something is dropped on the toe. The color results from a blood clot or bleeding under the nail and may involve the entire nail or just a small portion of it.
A black toenail occurs when there is bleeding or bruising under the toenail. Learn about symptoms, treatments, complications, and when to see a healthcare provider.
While toenail fungus is less than ideal, it’s one of the more harmless causes of a black toenail, according to Dr. Greenfield. When fungi get beneath your toenails—say, from wearing wet shoes ...
3. Fungal Infection . While most fungal infections under the toenail are a white or yellowish colour, dirt and other fragments can get under the nail, causing it to have a dark appearance. Feet are especially susceptible to fungal infections because socks and shoes create a warm and moist environment — a fungus’s dream!
Age – onychomycosis is more common in older adults. Melanoma. Melanoma can occur on any part of the body including the toenails. This type of skin cancer that occurs under the nails is also known as subungual melanoma. ... If you have a black toenail and are experiencing severe pain, difficulty walking, or other symptoms, it is important to ...
Of course, black toenail fungus is not limited to runners. As mentioned, people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or other conditions that affect circulation are also at higher risk for black toenail fungus. The symptoms of a fungal infection go beyond an aesthetic change in the toenail. The toenail may not always turn black.