Why is my toenail 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 black toenails?

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.

What can cause a toenail to turn black?

How do you treat black toenails at home?

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.

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.

Tell-nail Signs of Your Health

How do I get my toenails white again?

Simply fill a small bowl with one part water and one part hydrogen peroxide. Place fingers or toes in the bowl so that nails are completely covered and let soak for 15 minutes. Rinse well. Repeat daily until nails are whiter and stains have disappeared.

Will black toenail grow out?

Black Toenail: Common Causes

The bruise usually starts out red, then becomes purple, dark brown, and finally black when blood beneath the nail pools and clots. Expect your black toenail to grow out in about 6 to 9 months or longer.

Why is the tip of my toe turning 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).

Will a black toenail fall off?

When injured, the toenail will often appear black or purple as blood collects under the nail, which is called subungual hematoma. The blood puts pressure on the nail, which may fall off after several weeks.

How do you fix black nails?

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 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.

Should I cut off my fungus toenail?

Nail removal: If you have a severe infection or other treatments just don't work, your dermatologist may recommend removing the nail(s) to get rid of the infection.

Will a dead toenail grow out?

The bottom line. If your toenail falls off, it'll usually grow back within a few months to a year. However, depending on the cause and the size of the lost toenail, it could take up to two years. Contact your doctor if your toenail won't stop bleeding or you have severe pain.

How do I know if my toenail fungus is dying?

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.

What does gangrene look like on a toe?

Some of the major symptoms of gangrene include, a discoloration in the foot or toes. The affected foot will typically look “decayed” and as it progresses the skin will begin to turn dark and dry out. The skin of the foot may also become much shinier in appearance before it starts shedding.

What is Diabetic foot?

They can happen over time when high blood sugar damages the nerves and blood vessels in the feet. The nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in your feet. If you can't feel pain, you may not know when you have a cut, blister, or ulcer (open sore) on your foot.

How long will a toenail stay black?

The discolored nail will eventually grow out — or in some cases, it may fall off or need to be removed — and be replaced by a new, healthy one. It could take anywhere from 4 to 6 months for a fingernail to grow out or 12 to 18 months for a toenail, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

How long will nail stay black?

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. If there is severe damage to the nail bed, the nail may be malformed or cracked when it grows back. Or, it may fail to regrow.

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.

How do you get healthy toenails?

What does a discolored toenail mean?

Dirt, poor hygiene, and living in a humid area are all causes of a fungal infection in your toenails. Fungal toenail infections can cause discoloration, making your nail appear any of these colors: Yellow. Red-brown.

Can toothpaste whiten nails?

Yes, toothpaste! Whitening toothpaste, when applied, can lighten and brighten your nails in just a few short minutes. The same clinically proven natural whitening ingredients in products such as Tom's of Maine Luminous White Toothpaste can double as a treatment for surface stains on nails.

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.