Black toenails are not necessarily cause for alarm, but they shouldn’t be ignored either. They usually result from injury or a fungal infection, and they often resolve on their own as the nail grows out. Rarely, they can also be a sign of melanoma, which needs prompt treatment.
Understanding the causes of discoloration can help you determine whether you need to see a doctor for further evaluation.
Trauma
The most common cause of a black toenail is an injury that leads to bleeding under the nail. This can happen from a single impact, like stubbing your toe on the coffee table, or due to repetitive microtrauma over time from running or hiking. Eventually, the blood accumulates to the point that it darkens the toenail. Mild cases of this type of injury typically go away on their own, fading as the toenail grows out.
However, this type of injury should never be ignored. It could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as melanoma or other medical conditions like diabetes or cancer. Depending on the underlying cause, it may be necessary to undergo a surgical procedure to release the trapped blood and alleviate pain and pressure.
It’s also important to pay attention to any changes in your nails. Even mild injuries and fungal infections can result in darkening and other discolorations of the toenails. If you notice that a toenail is becoming darker, visit your foot and ankle specialist to make sure that it’s not an indication of a more serious problem.
Runners are particularly susceptible to this type of injury, as the repeated impact and pressure on the toes can lead to bruised and blackened toenails. Similarly, kids can develop black toenails from rough and tumble play or shoes that don’t fit well. Finally, older adults can be more at risk due to thinner nails and decreased circulation.
A black toenail can be easily treated if the underlying injury or infection is treated. The resulting spot from broken blood vessels should fade as the toenail heals. A fungus, on the other hand, will require more serious treatment. Mild toe fungus can be treated with over-the-counter ointments and creams, while severe cases will require prescription antifungal medications. Any black spots that don’t fade are an indication of a more serious problem and should be addressed by a doctor as soon as possible. The experienced team at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle can help you figure out the cause of your toenail trauma or fungus and provide effective treatments that will restore your nail to its normal color.
Fungal Infection
A fungal infection is one of the most common causes for a toenail to turn black. Fungi are naturally found in our environment and thrive in moist environments, such as under your nails. Fungus can cause your toenails to become discolored, and they may thicken over time as well. Fortunately, fungal infections can be treated with simple over-the-counter solutions such as nail fungus creams and ointments.
If you aren’t sure of the cause for your black toenail, it’s important to visit a podiatrist and seek medical attention. In most cases, black toenails caused by trauma or fungal infection will resolve on their own as the nail grows out. Injuries to the toenails that cause bruising or bleeding under the nail are often the result of repetitive stress such as sports, hiking, or running, and can lead to a darkening of the nail called subungual hematoma.
Black toenails can also be the result of an underlying health condition such as diabetes, poor circulation, or (rarely) skin cancer under the nail called melanoma. These types of discolorations may be more serious, and the underlying conditions should be treated to improve the outlook.
Although anyone can develop a black toenail, some people are at greater risk for this phenomenon than others. It is more common for children and adolescents to develop black toenails due to rough play and footwear that doesn’t fit properly. For adults, black toenails are more commonly caused by repetitive injuries, as in a runner’s toe injury, or health conditions that impact the nails like diabetes, poor circulation, and psoriasis.
While most black toenails are a result of an injury or a fungal infection, it’s always important to monitor your foot health and pay close attention to any changes in the appearance of your nails. Keeping your nails trim and dry, wearing proper-fitting shoes while working or playing sports, and visiting a podiatrist if you have any concerns can all help prevent certain types of toenail discoloration and improve the outlook for your overall health.
Vitamin Deficiency
A black toenail can be caused by a minor injury or it can signal more serious medical conditions. If a black spot under the nail is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, discharge, or foul smells, then it should be evaluated and treated as soon as possible. A doctor will be able to determine whether the problem needs to be drained, monitored, or biopsied and recommend the best treatment plan.
Minor injuries to the toenail can cause bruising and a buildup of blood under the nail that causes it to darken. These toenail injuries can happen from repetitive pressure like jogging or playing sports or from wearing tight shoes that rub against the toes. In most cases, the injury will go away on its own as the nail grows out.
Fungal infections can also cause toenails to turn black. Fungus loves moist environments like sweaty feet and socks, so it’s easy for it to spread under the nails. If you have a toenail fungus, your doctor may prescribe you antifungal nail polish or ointments that you can apply to the affected toenails to treat the fungus.
While rare, a black toenail can be a sign of melanoma (skin cancer). Melanoma develops as one or more patches of dark skin under the nail and is most often caused by exposure to sunlight.
People with poor circulation and diabetes are particularly prone to discoloration of the toenails. Changes in color or shape should be looked at by a foot and ankle specialist, especially if they are painful or accompanied by other symptoms.
The best way to prevent a toenail from turning black is to keep your feet clean and dry. Soaking the toenails in vinegar or Listerine can help to remove fungus and disinfect the nails, which will prevent fungal infections from forming. You should also try to wear properly fitting shoes that don’t rub against the toenails. If you do experience an injury to the toe, soak the nail in water and elevate the foot when possible. This will reduce swelling and pressure that could cause the nail to turn black.
Melanoma
If a black line or spot appears under a toenail without an obvious cause, it could be a sign of subungual melanoma, a type of skin cancer. This is rare, but should not be ignored. A doctor should examine the nail to determine if it’s safe to continue growing or whether further testing is required.
In most cases, black toenails are harmless or resolve with conservative care. However, the discoloration can raise concerns about an injury, fungal infection, or underlying health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. This article explores six potential causes of a toenail turning black and offers practical tips on preventing this symptom, including effective at-home treatment options.
Most commonly, a black toenail is the result of an injury, such as dropping something heavy on your foot or getting stubbed while running. This one-time event breaks blood vessels under the toenail, causing bleeding beneath the nail that can be seen as a dark spot. In some cases, long-term pressure from tight shoes may also lead to a black toenail.
Fortunately, black toenails from trauma and fungus usually clear up on their own or with the help of at-home treatments. However, these problems can worsen if left untreated. Therefore, it’s best to consult with a foot and ankle specialist if your discolored nail doesn’t go away after a few months of observation.
On the other hand, a black toenail that doesn’t respond to at-home treatment is a significant sign of a serious medical problem. In such a case, you should visit your physician as soon as possible to diagnose the problem and find an effective solution. This is particularly true if the black toenail is accompanied by symptoms like pain, tenderness, or discharge. In addition, you should seek prompt medical attention if your black toenail develops a foul odor or other signs of an infection. For these reasons, it’s essential to understand the causes of black toenails and how to recognize them so that they can be treated promptly.
