A black toenail may be caused by:
- An underlying medical condition: This may include anemia, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease.
- Fungal infections: While these often look white or yellow, fungal infections can sometimes cause black toenails from...
- Melanoma: This is the most serious type of skin cancer, which often appears as a dark brown misshapen spot. Such...
What does it mean when your toes start turning black?
There are a few medical conditions that may cause black toenails, including:
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- heart disease
- anemia
What caused a toe to turn 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).
What makes feet turn black?
- Sensitive Feet and Diabetes: Why My Feet Hurt?
- Foot Health | Diabetes and your feet
- Diabetes and Your Feet – Foot Health Tips
Why are my toenails turning black, what do I do?
You might have a rare cause of black toenail, such as:
- Malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer
- Fungal infection
- Chronic ingrown nail
- Other health problems
Why are my feet and toes turning black?
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.
Is it normal for toes to turn 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).
What does a toe turning black mean?
Black Toenail: Common Causes If your toenail turns black, it's most likely a bruise under the nail, technically called a subungual hematoma. You can get it from stubbing a toe or from footwear that cram your feet into the front of the shoe.29-May-2020
What are signs of diabetic feet?
Signs of Diabetic Foot ProblemsChanges in skin color.Changes in skin temperature.Swelling in the foot or ankle.Pain in the legs.Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal or are draining.Ingrown toenails or toenails infected with fungus.Corns or calluses.Dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel.More items...•22-Jun-2021
Veins conditions leading to darkening
Darkened feet are often a side effect of varicose veins. Varicose veins are bloated, swollen, and/or bulging surface veins caused by underlying vein disease where the vein isn’t strong enough to work correctly and blood can pool in your legs. This pooling typically leads to swelling.
Smoking leads to skin color changes
Darkening legs or feet can also be attributed to smoking. There are chemicals in cigarettes that speed up the aging process and lead to skin changes like uneven skin tone. Nicotine, a substance in cigarettes that makes them addicting, also constricts blood vessels, which restricts the blood flow to your arms, hands, legs, and feet.
Other causes of darkening feet
Other culprits that may be leading to the darkening of feet or legs could be cancer and eczema. When eczema manifests on your feet, it can lead to the changing of your skin tone. Venous eczema or stasis dermatitis also may change the color of your legs or feet and cause them to swell up and feel dry and itchy.
Vein Treatment San Diego
If you have black feet or legs, have noticed that your feet are darkening, or think you have leg vein issues, it’s time to seek professional help. At Kafri Wellness Clinic, we have over 25+ years of experience working with patients.
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
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!
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.
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
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 is my toenail black?
A black toenail may be caused by: An underlying medical condition: This may include anemia, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease.
Why do my feet look like they are rocking?
Although rare, nerve damage from diabetes can lead to changes in the shape of your feet, such as Charcot’s foot. Charcot’s foot may start with redness, warmth, and swelling. Later, bones in your feet and toes can shift or break, which can cause your feet to have an odd shape, such as a “rocker bottom.”.
How does diabetes affect the foot?
you might like Diabetes can cause two problems that can affect your feet: Diabetic neuropathy. Uncontrolled diabetes can damage your nerves. If you have damaged nerves in your legs and feet, you might not feel heat, cold, or pain. This lack of feeling is called "sensory diabetic neuropathy." If you do not feel a cut or sore on your foot because of neuropathy, the cut could get worse and become infected. The muscles of the foot may not function properly, because the nerves that make the muscles work are damaged. This could cause the foot to not align properly and create too much pressure in one area of the foot. It is estimated that up to 10% of people with diabetes will develop foot ulcers. Foot ulcers occur because of nerve damage and peripheral vascular disease. Peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes also affects the flow of blood. Without good blood flow, it takes longer for a sore or cut to heal. Poor blood flow in the arms and legs is called "peripheral vascular disease." Peripheral vascular disease is a circulation disorder that affects blood vessels away from the heart. If you have an infection that will not heal because of poor blood flow, you are at risk for developing ulcers or gangrene (the death of tissue due to a lack of blood). Continue reading >>
What causes numbness in the feet?
Diabetes is a serious condition which can have many effects on the feet, including: (1) Nerve damage, resulting in numbness, extensive burning, pain, coldness, "pins and needles" or tingling while at rest. These nerves may actually affect the "position" sense, so that the joints or bones actually collapse with time.
How to prevent foot problems in diabetics?
Preventing foot problems in diabetes begins by preventing the loss of circulation that will result in serious nerve damage. This is relatively easy today if the risks for circulatory problems are recognized early. Keeping the blood pressure below 130/80 is essential for reducing damage to blood vessel walls.
How to keep your feet healthy?
You might be afraid you’ll lose a toe, foot, or leg to diabetes, or know someone who has, but you can lower your chances of having diabetes-related foot problems by taking care of your feet every day. Managing your blood glucose levels, also called blood sugar, can also help keep your feet healthy.
Can diabetes cause a person to not feel his feet?
Foot problems commonly develop in people with diabetes and can quickly become serious. With damage to the nervous system, a person with diabetes may not be able to feel his or her feet properly.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
What is causing swelling in my right lower leg and foot?
Possibilities: Injury, venous insufficiency, lymphedema, infection, inflammatory or systemic conditions are some common reasons.
What could be the cause of swelling in both foot and legs in a 70 year old thin person?
Venous insufficiency: Damage to the venous system returning blood to the heart from the legs. Medication can also cause this.