What does it mean if your toe is black?
The most common cause of black toe is repeated trauma from the toe banging against the end of the shoe. Since the big toe is usually the longest toe, the banging produces bleeding and bruising of the nail, causing it to become discolored (often blue and then black).
Is black toe serious?
Black toenails do not typically cause further problems for someone when they are the result of trauma or pigment discoloration. When treated properly, fungal infections will also not cause any more problems. However, if left untreated, fungal infections may spread to other parts of the foot and body.
Should I be worried about a black toe?
You'll need to see a dermatologist if you suspect melanoma. However, if your black toenail is caused by another underlying health issue, such as diabetes, then you'll also need to see your primary doctor to treat the cause. Any black toenail that doesn't go away should be looked at by a doctor.
What causes your toes to turn dark?
Gangrene is a serious condition where a loss of blood supply causes body tissue to die. It can affect any part of the body but typically starts in the toes, feet, fingers and hands. Gangrene can occur as a result of an injury, infection or a long-term condition that affects blood circulation.
Why do diabetics toes go black?
Gangrene. Diabetes affects the blood vessels that supply your fingers and toes. When blood flow is cut off, tissue can die. Treatment is usually oxygen therapy or surgery to remove the affected area.
How do you cure a black toenail?
Soaking your feet in a vinegar foot soak daily can treat black toenail fungus. The ratio can be one part vinegar and two parts of water. If the infection is extreme then a heavy soak is required to reduce the infection.
When should I go to the doctor for a bruised toenail?
If the subungual hematoma extends to a little over a quarter or half of your toenail, then you must seek treatment at a doctor's office. If you experience throbbing or severe pain near the hematoma, your doctor will determine if the hematoma needs to be drained to relieve the pressure.
What does melanoma look like under a toenail?
Subungual melanoma often starts as a brown or black streak under a toenail or fingernail. A person may mistake it for a bruise. The main symptoms of subungual melanoma include: brown or black streaks in the nail without any known injury.
Can you put nail polish on a black toenail?
While it may be tempting to hide the discolored toenail with nail polish, think twice before painting it—nail polish does not allow the nail to breathe, and you could risk losing it altogether, says sports medicine physician William O. Roberts, M.D. Reserve that move for special occasions, not everyday wear.
What are Covid toes?
COVID toes: One or more toes may swell and turn pink, red, or a purplish color. Others may see a small amount of pus under their skin. Sometimes, people who have COVID toes have other symptoms of COVID-19. Treatment for COVID toes: To reduce pain or itching, apply a hydrocortisone cream to the affected area.
Can black toes be saved?
Tissue that has been damaged by gangrene can't be saved. But treatment is available to help prevent gangrene from getting worse.
What does gangrene look like on a toe?
Skin discoloration — ranging from pale to blue, purple, black, bronze or red, depending on the type of gangrene you have. Swelling. Blisters. Sudden, severe pain followed by a feeling of numbness.
What do Covid toes look like?
COVID toes: One or more toes may swell and turn pink, red, or a purplish color. Others may see a small amount of pus under their skin. Sometimes, people who have COVID toes have other symptoms of COVID-19.
How long do black toes take to heal?
It will take between 6 to 9 months to go back to normal. In some cases, you should seek foot care in Toronto from a professional chiropodist so that you can safely treat your injured toenail: If the toenail is falling off.
Should I remove black toenail?
If you have a damaged toenail, you might be tempted to remove it yourself. But while damaged toenails sometimes fall off on their own, it's not a good idea to force that process. Removing a damaged toenail yourself could lead to serious complications that end up making matters worse.
When should I go to the doctor for a bruised toenail?
If the subungual hematoma extends to a little over a quarter or half of your toenail, then you must seek treatment at a doctor's office. If you experience throbbing or severe pain near the hematoma, your doctor will determine if the hematoma needs to be drained to relieve the pressure.
How long does it take for a black toe to grow?
In some cases, the nail may come loose and fall off. A new nail will take its place, but it usually takes about four to six months to grow to its full length.
Why do you wear padded socks?
Peer-reviewed, published studies have shown that wearing clinically-tested padded socks can help protect against injuries to the skin/soft tissue of the foot due to the effects of impact, pressure and shear forces .
What is a black toe called?
Dr. Grace Torres-hodges answered. A Hematoma: A hematoma is a blood blister and if found under the nail, is called a subungual hematoma. It can cause the toe to turn black and is typically the re... Read More.
What does it mean when your toe turns black?
Black Toes...: When a toe turns black, it has usually died from lack of blood supply. When a part of it turns black, like under the nail, it is usually the result o... Read More. Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!
Why is my toe turning black?
Possibly: Tight shoes could cause the toe to turn black. It could be a hematoma from some type of injury . However, a toe turning black is typically not normal ... Read More
Why is my toe nail discolored?
Many things: Many things can cause discoloration of a toe nail. It could be blood resulting from a history of trauma or a fungal infection. I would advise seeing ... Read More
Why do my nails turn black?
Nails or toes?: If you mean the toes themselves, this is a little worrisome. Usually the skin will turn black if there is tissue death--necrosis--of the skin. This ... Read More
A case study
Critical limb ischaemia refers to an advanced form of peripheral vascular disease where severe arterial occlusion manifests as chronic ischaemic rest pain, nonhealing ulcers and gangrene.
Case study
Mr B, 65 years of age, presented with a painful black left toe. He complained of pain and bluish discoloration of his left foot for the past 8 months, which had worsened in the past 3 weeks. He experienced no numbness or paraesthesia, and did not recall any trauma to his left foot or toe.
Case study continued
Mr B decided not have an operation; a decision the vascular surgeon agreed with. The family requested palliative care. Unfortunately, due to the lack of a terminal diagnosis, the local palliative care team declined a role in the management of Mr B’s symptoms.
Key points
Critical limb ischaemia is the most severe form of peripheral arterial disease and is often a result of arteriosclerosis or diabetes.
How to prevent black toenail?
Reducing direct sun exposure to your feet and wearing sunscreen around your toes can help prevent melanoma. Black toenail attributed to other medical issues can be prevented through proper treatment and management of the underlying health condition. Last medically reviewed on June 16, 2017.
What to do if your toenail is black?
Over-the-counter ointments, creams, and polishes are usually effective. Severe cases may require a prescription antifungal treatment. If a black toenail is caused by an injury, the resulting spot from broken blood vessels will disappear once your nail grows out. Black toenail caused by trauma from an injury usually resolves on its own without ...
Why do my toenails grow out?
Cases related to trauma and fungal infection have the best outlook. In these instances, injured nails grow out, and fungal infections may be treated at home. Black toenail caused by melanoma and other health conditions are symptomatic. The outlook for such cases depends on how early you treat the underlying cause.
Why are my toenails dark brown?
Your toenails are especially vulnerable to fungal infections because they thrive on moist and warm environments . Melanoma: This is the most serious type of skin cancer, which often appears as a dark brown misshapen spot. Such spots can also occur underneath nail beds.
Does a black toenail go away?
Any black toenail that doesn’t go away should be looked at by a doctor. If you’re concerned about your black toenail and don’t already have a dermatologist, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.
Can you see a doctor for black toenail?
Knowing the cause can help you make this decision. On the flipside, if you don’t know the cause , it’s a good idea to see your doctor just in case your black toenail is a sign of a serious medical condition. Not all cases of toenail fungus require a doctor’s visit.
Can melanoma cause black spots on toenails?
It can also cause permanent nail damage. Complications can also arise from melanoma in the toenail that’s mistaken for trauma-induced black toenail. It’s important to see your doctor if you notice any black spots that might be spreading throughout the nail, or if they don’t go away despite your toenail growing out.
Why are my toenails black?
Fungal infections. Fungal infections are another common problem that can cause black toenails to form. Typically, a fungal infection causes a white or yellowish discoloration. However, debris can build up near the infection, causing the nail to appear black.
When to see a doctor for a black toenail?
When to see a doctor. A person should see a doctor if they experience a sudden, unexplainable black toenail, or if it does not heal with time and at-home treatments. In cases of trauma or injury, the discolored part of the nail will disappear as the nail grows out.
How to treat a fungal infection on a nail?
A person may be able to treat a fungal infection at home. Creams and ointments can be enough to kill the fungus and allow the nail to heal. These are available for purchase over the counter and online. However, if the infection does not go away after a few days, a person should consult a doctor.
Why does my toe feel sore?
When this happens, blood vessels in the nail bed break, causing blood to pool there. The injured toe will start to hurt and pool blood beneath the skin almost immediately . The buildup of blood will cause the toe to feel painful and swollen. A doctor can treat this condition by draining the blood with a pinprick. 3.
Can a black toenail grow out?
Long-term pressure on the toes from poorly-fitting shoes can cause a range of problems, from small blisters to bloody blisters under the nail. In mild cases, the black toenail will grow out naturally over time without treatment.
Why is my toenail black?
What causes a black toenail? If you have suffered a black toenail then it is likely you have either stubbed your toe, dropped something on it, or run a very long way. Trauma causes soft tissue injury resulting in bleeding under the nail. As a result the nail appears black.
How to heal black toenails?
Black toenails usuall heal by themselves, but if they are particularly painful or severe, further treatment may be necessary. Raising your foot up may reduce blood pressure and make it easier for tissue fluids to drain away with the help of gravity.
Why does my toe feel sore?
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 .
What is a trephine nail?
Trephining is the process of making a hole in your nail to release pressure by draining blood from under the nail. A professional therapist or chiropodist may use somethign about the size of a paperclip to pass easily through the nail. As a result a tiny hole is made through the nail.
What is the 90% rule for black spots on toes?
They say that in medicine in 90% of the time all you have to do is talk and examine the patient. When it comes to black spots on toes that is correct. But sometimes a few extra steps are helpful. They are similar to the evaluation of blue toes:
What does it mean when your toes are purple?
This can result in small sores on the tips of the toes. It can also result in purple toes, like in this picture: Purple toes from ill-fitting shoes. Another common type of trauma is “ rug burn “. A sad, but common, scenario is an elderly person who falls in their home. They drag themselves on the ground.
What causes a spot on the toe?
For example, if a patient has atrial fibrillation, the spots on the toes could have come from the heart. Similarly, a patient with a known infected heart valve could throw a piece of infected material to the toes. Clot from an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) might reach the toes.
Why do my toes discolor?
Trauma. Trauma probably the most common reason for toe discoloration. In this context, the word “trauma” usually does not mean “major trauma”. On the contrary. Typically the trauma is very minimal. The most common reason we encounter in the clinic is pressure from ill-fitting shoes.
What is the condition called when you have thrombosis?
Or, a condition called Buerger’s disease (also known as thromboangiitis obliterans). Local thrombosis might also result from very uncommon reasons. For instance, in a leukemia patient, white blood cells might plug the arteries in the toes.