Why are My Toenails Black: Unraveling the Causes and Management Options
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Jul 2, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Jul 2, 2024Table of Contents
Finding your toenails have darkened can be alarming. This often happens due to small injuries or infections we can manage ourselves. But sometimes, it could mean something more serious is going on. By knowing why toenails turn black and how to handle them, you might be able to manage the problem and stop it from reoccurring. In this article, we’re going to discuss why toenails can darken, how to deal with it, when to see a doctor, and how to avoid it. Lastly, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Did you know?
Toenails can darken for various reasons, from simple to serious health issues. In this section, we’ll discuss what often leads to black toenails.
Wearing shoes that don’t fit correctly is a common cause of black toenails. If your shoes press too much on your toes, it can damage them over time. This can lead to your toenails turning black. The damage may be minor or severe requiring medical attention.
Blunt force injury to the toe is very painful and it can also cause the blood vessels beneath the nails to break. When this happens, blood pools under the nail turning it black. This is known as a subungual hematoma and may need medical attention due to the pain.
Fungal infections are another frequent reason for black toenails. Most times, these infections make the nails white or yellow. But fungal debris can darken them as well.
Fungal infections in the toe can cause the nail to thicken or become brittle. The nail might start to break away from the nail bed as the infection worsens. This can expose the area to more infections.
To find out if it’s a fungal infection, your healthcare professional will look at the nail. They may also take a small sample of the nail to check in a laboratory. This lets them confirm whether it’s a fungus and decide the best management option.
There are several ways to manage toenail fungal infections. The best one for you will depend on how bad the infection is. For mild cases, over-the-counter creams might work. If it’s severe, you might need stronger medicine prescribed by the doctor. Keeping your feet clean and dry may help stop and manage infections.
In rare cases, black toenails can signal skin cancer. This is called melanoma. It can look like a dark dot on or under the nails. The spot may grow unevenly and have rough edges.
Catching melanoma early helps make management more effective. That’s why people should keep an eye on any changes in their toenails. If you see a new dark spot or if an old one changes, get in touch with a healthcare professional. This could improve your chances of catching and managing melanoma early.
For skin cancer, doctors often start with surgery to remove the affected tissue. They might recommend other therapies like radiation or chemotherapy if needed. How you’ll fare afterward depends on when the cancer was found and how far it spread.
Sometimes, our toenails darken due to aging or genes. If you see dark patches under your toenails, don’t worry too much. It could just be a normal change in skin colour. Speaking with a healthcare professional can set your mind at ease.
Some health problems, like diabetes and psoriasis, can affect your toenails and make them darken.
If you have diabetes, you may get toenail fungus more often. This can darken your nails. A condition called diabetic neuropathy can also cause changes. It damages nerves and reduces sensations in the feet. This makes it harder to feel injuries or infections. Good foot care and blood sugar control are key to avoiding problems and managing symptoms.
Psoriasis can affect the nails, leading to other changes besides discolouration. The nails may pit, crumble, thicken, or lift off the nail bed.
Yellow nail syndrome is a rare illness that turns nails yellow. It can cause swelling and issues with your lungs. Management often focuses on the associated conditions and symptom control.
Nail polish can darken the toenails as well. Some chemicals in nail polish can stain the nails. This is more likely if you don’t use a base coat or if the polish is dark.
If you use nail polish for a long time, it can turn your nails yellow. This might even become green or black over time. If you keep the nail painted for too long, they may become weak and brittle as well.
To stop and manage the nail stains obtained from nail polish, the following steps may be tried.
If your black toenails also have skin spots, get medical help. They can point to the cause of the discolouration.
You might see various kinds of skin spots near the black toenail. These could be warts, calluses, corns, or blisters. They often come from friction, pressure, viral infections, or several skin disorders.
The right therapy for a skin spot depends on what causes it.
If you don’t manage black toenails well, you could have more issues.
If an infection makes the toenail black, not treating it properly can make it spread. It could infect other parts of the feet or body.
If you don’t take care of the things that make the toenails turn black like constant damage or fungal infections you could harm the nail forever.
Getting therapy early may lower the risk of other problems. It may also keep you comfortable and solve the problem more effectively.
Knowing when to see a healthcare professional is key to managing a black toenail. You should reach out to your professional if you have:
Keep an eye out for signs of infection or if things are getting worse, such as more pain, redness, swelling, or discharge. In these cases, get in touch with your healthcare professional. Also, if the dark colour does not go away or grow out with the nail over a few months, you may need to see a doctor.
Your healthcare professional will take a look at your black toenail. They might do more tests like taking a small sample of your nail to check for infection or using imaging studies to see if there’s any injury.
Once your healthcare professional knows why your toenail is black, they’ll help you come up with a correct management plan. This could be a mix of medicines, changes in lifestyle, shoes, or in some cases, surgery.
To stop black toenails from reoccurring, you may try the following:
Wear shoes that fit well and are comfortable. This may help lower the risk of black toenails caused by rubbing, pressure, or constant damage. Don’t wear shoes that are too tight, narrow, or don’t offer much padding. Go for those made of breathable materials. Choose the right shoes for activities, like running shoes if you’re a runner.
Keep your feet clean and dry to avoid fungal or bacterial infections. Wash them regularly with soap and water. Dry them well afterward, especially between your toes. Change your socks often, especially if your feet get sweaty.
Keep your toenails trimmed and clean. Keep them short and file them to avoid sharp edges. This will lower the risk of hurting them and stop nails from growing in.
When you’re thinking about what to expect as your black toenail recovers, remember that it will depend on what caused it and how you’re managing it.
Small injuries or changes in colour should get better as your toenails grow out, which can take six to nine months. But if you’re dealing with infections or dealing with other health problems, it might take more time to get better.
Whether or not you’ll get a black toenail again depends on what caused it and how well you can avoid it. Dealing with the things that cause it and using good methods to reduce the risk may help.
Black toenails can develop because of many different reasons, like trauma, fungal infections, melanoma, changes in pigmentation, or other health problems. It’s critical to be aware of worsening signs and when to see a healthcare professional. And, figuring out how to best manage the causes of the discolouration is key. Facing black toenails directly and applying measures to reduce the risk may help improve the overall health of your feet and nails. Always remember if you have any concerns, you need to consult your doctor.
Toenails can turn black from constant damage, direct harm, fungal infections, melanoma, changes in pigmentation, or health problems like diabetes or psoriasis.
Depending on what caused it, some black toenails get better on their own as the nail grows out. Others need help from a healthcare professional through medicines, lifestyle changes, or even surgery.
Lack of certain nutrients can also cause black toenails indirectly. For example, if you have iron deficiency anaemia it can cause bruising or yellowing of the nails. But, it’s very important to see a healthcare professional for a correct diagnosis.
Dark toenails can mean many things, from minor injuries to fungal infections or more serious problems like melanoma. It’s key to see a healthcare professional to figure out and manage the cause.
Yes, you may avoid black toenails by wearing good shoes, keeping your feet clean, and taking care of your nails. Also, dealing with the root issues may lower the risk of it reoccurring.
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