While nail trauma is common, there are other, potentially more serious reasons your toenail can turn black, so it’s also important to know when to seek medical care. 1. Blunt force trauma. Nothing elicits profanity as much as when a heavy object lands on your toe. It’s painful and, depending on the severity, can cause a black toenail.
Toenails can turn black from nutritional deficiencies, infection, or trauma. This may go away on its own. ... Capsulitis is a painful condition affecting the ball of the foot and toes. If treated ...
Ignoring persistent pain or discoloration can lead to more serious issues, including nail loss or infection. 2. Toenail Fungus: The Silent Invader. Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common and persistent cause of nail discoloration. Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, making feet the perfect target—especially for those who ...
Learn why your nail is turning black and how you can repair it at homeIs one of your toenails black, brown, or overall discolored? ... Take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage pain. If your black toenail is painful, try an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol ...
Because black toenails can potentially signify a serious condition, it is important to contact a physician if one or more of your toenails turn black. They can evaluate your overall health, identify the cause, and prescribe appropriate treatment. If black toenails occur with pain, bleeding, or pus, it is essential to contact a doctor without delay.
As a result, the nail appears black. Blood has nowhere to drain to, therefore pressure under your nail increases causing pain. You may feel a throbbing sensation. This is because as your heart beats (creating a pulse) your blood pressure varies, hence the pressure in your toe increases. Black toenails are common in long-distance runners and ...
Most Common Causes of a Black Toenail 1. Trauma or Repeated Impact. The most frequent cause of black toenails is injury—either a single impact (like dropping something heavy on your toe) or repetitive microtrauma from activities like running or hiking. The nail becomes discolored due to bleeding under the nail bed. Signs to look for: Pain and ...
A podiatrist explains the common causes of a black toenail (aka a subungual hematoma) and provides tips on how you can restore your toenails to tip-top shape. Eat Better ... If there's pain or pressure in the affected toenail, the best footwear to sport is a sandal or an open-toed shoe, Dr. Lobkova says.
Common Causes of Black and Thick Toenails Trauma. Acute Trauma: A sudden impact or injury to the toe can cause the toenail to turn black and thicken over time. This usually happens when the nail bed bleeds and the blood gets trapped under the nail, causing a subungual hematoma. This can occur from dropping a heavy object on your toe, stubbing ...
Black toenails can result from an injury, a fungal infection, or pigmentation changes over time. More serious causes include heart disease or melanoma.
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.
Fungal infections—like athlete’s foot—can spread to your toenails and turn them shades of yellow, blue, green, brown, purple and black, explains Sutera. This range in color is unique to fungus, as is the presence of subungual debris—a chalky white substance that lines the nail bed and often carries a funky odor.
Causes of Black Toenails. Toenail discoloration can be caused by various factors: Blood Under the Nail: Known as a subungual hematoma, this occurs when blood from an injury seeps into the nail bed, turning the nail dark. This can happen from repetitive trauma, such as consistently hitting your toes against your shoes, or from a sudden injury, like dropping something heavy on your foot.
However, black toenails caused by injuries can be very painful, cause significant discoloration of the nail that can last up to nine months, and sometimes lead to permanent nail changes.
One of the most obvious symptoms of black toenail fungus is the discoloration of the toenail. The affected nail may turn black, brown, or even greenish in color. This discoloration is often accompanied by a foul odor emanating from the affected nail. ... Another common symptom of black toenail fungus is pain or discomfort in the affected area ...
The thick, black toenail may also cause pain if it puts pressure on your toe. 1. Injury to toenail. An injury to your toenail will cause your toenail to turn black. The condition is called subungual hematoma, which is basically bleeding under the nail. Along with the black toenail, the injury may also cause swelling, intense pain and throbbing.
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!
Get expert answers on causes and effective treatments for black toenails in this informative guide. ... sometimes causing them to turn black. If you have concerns about your overall health or observe other symptoms alongside a black toenail, you should consult your doctor for an evaluation. ... If there's a lot of pain or pressure from the ...
