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my toes are turning black

by Dr. Miller Greenfelder II Published 4 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Six causes of a black toenail

  1. Repetitive trauma. When a person wears poorly-fitting shoes, they may be at risk of developing black toenails due to...
  2. Blunt force. In some cases, the trauma may be a one-time blunt-force injury, for example, if a person drops a heavy...
  3. Fungal infections. Fungal infections are another common problem that can cause black toenails...

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).

Full Answer

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 causes your feet to turn black?

  • Stop Smoking.
  • Lose weight.
  • Improve your diet.
  • Drink more water.
  • Exercise by walking daily.
  • Protect your feet in cold weather.

What causes a foot to turn black?

  • Widen blood vessels (using a small balloon),
  • Remove plaque deposits from blood vessel walls
  • Insert stents (mesh tubes) to reinforce the blood vessels.

Why do my feet turn my shoes black?

  • Increase swelling of legs or feet.
  • Change of skin color.
  • Burning or tingling sensation.
  • Lack of feeling in the feet.
  • Numbness in the toes.
  • Ingrown toenails.
  • Slow to heal sores.
  • Cracks between toes.

Why does my toe bang on my shoes?

Other causes may include the following: Sudden trauma or injury to the toe or toenail. Fungal infection.

What causes a toe to swell?

Other causes may include the following: 1 Sudden trauma or injury to the toe or toenail. 2 Fungal infection. 3 “Morton’s toe,” a condition in which an individual’s second toe is longer than the big toe. 4 Rarely, a subungual (occurring under the toenail) melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

What is the condition where the second toe is longer than the big toe?

Fungal infection. “Morton’s toe,” a condition in which an individual’s second toe is longer than the big toe. Rarely, a subungual (occurring under the toenail) melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

What causes a mans feet to swell and start turning black?

Not sure: Black colored feet is not good and would suggest you get to er asap. Possible gang green.

What are the causes of a swelling foot and leg and turning black?

Mutliple causes: Your symptoms sound like there is something going on in the blood vessels where tissues are not getting enough perfusion. Multiple sources can cause t... Read More

Top of foot turning black and swelling, what could be the cause.?

Foot turning black: Something must have happened for that black swelling to occur. Please have someone take you to the nearest Emergency facility. Things should work out... Read More

My foot nails are slowly turning black and the top tip of the nails is detaching from the toe flesh. what might be the cause and is there any treatment that i can take?

Nails black: Most common reason would be fungus in nail. Fungus loves dark and damp shoes with socks on. Try wearing sandals to see if it. You may also want to Go... Read More

What causes part of your foot to turn black?

Black foot usually refers to gangrene which is a severe damaging of the tissue. This needs immediate and emergent care by a specialist. Often multiple... Read More

What causes toes and feet to turn black?

Discoloration: The only thing that coming to mind initially is if some type of dietary problem. That being said, the feet can be discolored from varicose veins. Th... Read More

My feet turn black during the day. its superficial and scrubs off but its terrible looking. im not wearing black socks or anything that should cause?

Could be: A form of dermatitis. Without an examination, it is difficult to guess at a diagnosis. See podiatrist or dermatologist.

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 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.

What to do if your nail detaches from the nail bed?

In severe cases, such as when the nail begins to detach from the nail bed, a person should seek medical treatment. 2. Blunt force. In some cases, the trauma may be a one-time blunt-force injury, for example, if a person drops a heavy object on their foot or toes.

What to do if you have a foot injury?

If a person has a repetitive injury, such as from wearing poorly-fitting shoes, it is likely a doctor will recommend resting the foot and switching shoes. Underlying conditions such as diabetes will need to be treated first by a doctor, who may also adjust someone’s regular treatment regime.

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 turning black?

A black toenail may be caused by: An underlying medical condition: This may include anemia, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. Trauma: Usually caused by an injury, trauma to the toenail can cause the blood vessels beneath a nail to break. The resulting bleeding underneath the nail appears black. Beside above, why are my toes turning brown?

Why do my toes get dark?

Dear Kato: Darkening of the toes that hurt could result from compromised blood supply to those toes, leading to a condition called gangrene. Gangrene may occur after an injury or infection, or in people suffering from any chronic health problems, affecting blood circulation such as diabetes. Click to see full answer.

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.

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.

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