Why do pinky toe nails turn black?

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.

How do you get rid of a black pinky toenail?

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.

Why is my pinky finger nail black?

The nails of your toes or fingers are usually translucent and not pigmented. Melanonychia is caused when the pigment cells, called melanocytes, deposit melanin — brown-colored pigment — into the nail. These deposits are usually grouped together.

Is a black toenail fungus?

What is black toenail fungus? If you have a dark, thick toenail, it could be toenail fungus, which is usually caused by a type of fungus called dermatophytes. It affects the toenail and the area beneath the nail and causes color changes, thickening, and abnormally shaped nails.

Can vitamin deficiency causes black lines on nails?

Melanonychia can be caused by inflammatory skin diseases that affect your nails. It can also be caused by inflammation due to friction from shoes and biting your nails. Poor nutrition. Malnutrition can cause melanonychia, especially a lack of protein, vitamin D, or vitamin B12.

BLACK TOE NAILS - CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

How do you treat black toenails naturally?

Diluted in water vinegar can be used as a foot soak. 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.

How do you fix black nails?

Apply ice (wrapped in a cloth) or cold therapy for 10 minutes at a time, every hour to reduce bleeding and swelling. Elevate the hand to reduce bleeding and swelling. This aids the tissue fluids to flow away from the site of injury using gravity to assist.

What happens if nails become black?

If a fingernail or toenail has a new or changing dark streak, it's time to see a dermatologist for a skin cancer check. That dark streak could be melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Not every dark streak is a melanoma, but it's always good to have a dermatologist examine one.

What do black nails mean?

There's psychology behind your favorite nail color choice. The color black represents authority and assertiveness, which means that your black nail polish will show everyone in your work or personal life that you mean business (via Reader's Digest).

Will a black fingernail go away?

A minor subungual hematoma usually heals over time without treatment. The trapped blood will eventually be reabsorbed, and the dark mark will disappear. This can take 2–3 months for a fingernail, and up to 9 months for a toenail.

What does fungus toenails look like?

Nails with fungus might look yellow. Sometimes a white dot shows up on the nail and then gets bigger. When fungus builds up under your nail, it can loosen and even separate the nail from the bed. The fungus can also spread to the skin around your nail.

What kills toenail fungus instantly?

Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus that grows on toenails. You can directly wipe hydrogen peroxide on your infected toes or toenails with a clean cloth or cotton swab. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used in a foot soak.

What happens if you leave toenail fungus untreated?

If you have toenail fungus and it goes untreated, you may experience: Pain in your feet and toes due to thickened, distorted toenails. Spread of the fungus to your skin, causing athlete's foot. Infection of the surrounding areas, causing cracked skin, and increasing bacterial spread.

Will nail fungus go away by itself?

Fungal infections of the toenails — also known as onychomycosis — don't go away on their own, and if left untreated, the fungus will spread and can eventually destroy the nail.

Which of these conditions is characterized by darkening of the fingernails or toenails?

Melanonychia: a condition of either the fingernails or the toenails. Melanonychia is when you have brown or black lines on your nails. The decolorization is usually in a stripe that starts at the bottom of your nail bed and continues to the top.

Why is my toenail purple but doesn't hurt?

When your nails turn blue or light purple in color, it may be a sign that your toes are not getting proper circulation. This frequently indicates the presence of a health condition called Raynaud's disease, which causes narrowing of the smaller arteries which supply blood to the extremities.

How is melanoma under toenail treated?

Subungual melanoma is treated surgically. Your doctor will first remove your entire nail and then remove the growth. To date, surgery is the only viable treatment method for this type of melanoma.

What does Stage 1 melanoma look like?

Stage IA Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is less than 1.0 millimeter thick (less than the size of a sharpened pencil point) with or without ulceration (broken skin) when viewed under the microscope. Stage IB Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is more than 1.0 millimeter and less than 2.0 millimeters thick without ulceration.

What does melanoma look like in toenails?

When checking your nails for melanoma, dermatologists recommend looking for the following changes: A dark streak. This may look like a brown or black band in the nail — often on the thumb or big toe of your dominant hand or foot. However, this dark streak can show up on any nail.

How can you tell if a nail is melanoma?

Why are my pinky toes purple?

Purple feet are a sign of a circulation problem that can be potentially serious. When circulation in your feet is healthy, cuts heal quickly and your skin retains its natural color. Blood reaches your feet through a network of arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart.

Can diabetes cause black toenails?

The first toenail change you'll notice in diabetic patients is likely to be discoloration. Most have some yellowing of the nails, though the shade and involvement can vary. Discoloring may start at the distal edge (tip), and run all the way to the root of the nail bed.

What causes toes to turn 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.

What do nails look like with anemia?

Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.

How do you reverse nail discoloration?

The only way to get rid of nail polish-related discoloration is to take a break from painting your nails. Even a break of just two or three weeks can resolve the issue.