Brusing on toes
Have you had black toenails recently?
Do you want to know the causes of black nails and toes?
Do you want to know the signs and symptoms of black toenails?
Do you want to know the ways to treat black toenails?
If you want to find the answers to your questions, we recommend that you read on.
What you will read next:
Introduction
Our toenails should be physiologically and naturally colorless, but sometimes we may notice discoloration due to repeated use of colored nail polish, chronic infections, nutritional deficiencies.
There are several reasons that can cause a person's toenails to turn black. Some of these blackheads go away on their own and do not last long. With the growth of new nails and shortening of old nails, they return to the color of natural nails.
Sometimes it happens that black toenail not only does not get better, but also stays very long, in which case it is recommended that you see a doctor for a checkup.
Remember that toenails are different from fingernails, and that is that since it is not possible to damage toenails after chewing with a tooth, we need to take the changes in toenails more seriously.
What are the causes of big toenail blackening?
In this section, we want to know what causes your toenails to turn black.
In the following, we will name the most common causes and briefly explain about it:
- Underlying disorders and diseases
People with a range of underlying conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, or chronic liver disease, may experience toenail discoloration and black toenails.
The most common infection that usually affects the nails and fingers is fungal infections. Doctors say that although most fungal infections cause the nails to turn white or yellow, but sometimes your toenails become black due to the accumulation of the remnants of these fungi.
Why are toenails more vulnerable to fungal infections?
Due to the fact that fungi consider dark and warm humid environments as their suitable environment, so the feet and between the toes, which is a moist and dark space, are the best place for fungi to grow.
If a blow has hit the toe or toenail, the injury will cause dullness, bruising and hemorrhage, Because this blow will cause blood vessels under the nail bed and under the skin to rupture.
The resulting bleeding under the nail will appear black and it will take a long time for this blackness to disappear with the growth of new nails.
Melanoma is one of the most serious causes that can cause toenail opacity. Melanoma is the most serious and progressive type of skin cancer, often appearing in the form of a dark brown spot with an asymmetrical and irregular margin. So, if you notice that there is such a stain under your nails, that is, a dark brown spot that does not have a definite border and shape, and the color of different parts of it is different and is increasing in size and is progressive, this issue should be taken seriously and see a doctor immediately.
There are other types of skin cancers and malignancies that can cause conditions such as melanoma in the nail bed.
If you notice that your toenails have been black and dark for a long time and do not heal, you should see a doctor. In the following, we will tell you when to see a doctor to check for black toenails.
First of all, we must say that most of the time, blackening of the toenails does not require a visit to the doctor, but if this complication persists, it will need to be examined and treated by a doctor. Depending on the cause, the treatment will be done; in fact, the cause of the black nail will help the doctor to decide on the treatment.
We recommend that if you have progressive blackening of your toenails that does not improve, If you have an underlying condition such as diabetes and you have black toenails, take this more seriously and be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible.
If there is a malignant dark brown lesion without regular margins under the nail, with melanoma suspicion, it is necessary for your dermatologist to see your biopsy to be able to reach the main diagnosis of the cause of blackness under the nail.
In a general conclusion, we must say that any toenail or toe that has become black and progressive black and has not disappeared spontaneously over time, must be examined by a doctor.
What are the complications of black toenails?
If the black toenail is due to a fungus on the toenail and what is causing the toenail to darken is due to a fungal infection, the infection can spread to your entire foot and other parts of your body if left untreated. Also, Chronic fungal infections can also damage the nail bed, causing you to lose the ability to grow your nails forever.
Prolonged and untreated chronic fungal infections cause permanent damage to the nails.
Now suppose that the cause of the blackness under your toenails is malignant skin melanoma.
Suppose you confuse this serious and life-threatening disorder with blackheads following trauma.
Can You can imagine what serious complications will threaten you?
We emphasize that if you see black spots that spread all over the nails, if they have progressive growth and despite the growth of the nails, they have not disappeared, Take it seriously and see your doctor.
How to treat toenail blackness?
The type of treatment will depend entirely on the underlying cause of the blackening of your foot. If the cause of the blackening of your big toe is due to a fungal infection that is diagnosed early, we must say that the treatment will be successful. There are creams and ointments and topical medications as well as nail polishes that contain antifungal medications that are available without a prescription and are usually effective in the healing process. In more severe cases, your doctor's prescription will definitely include antifungal drugs that contain more specialized and oral antifungal drugs.
If the cause of the blackness of your toenails is due to swelling and trauma, it will disappear spontaneously and without treatment and with the growth of the nail. If your fingernail is raised and still looks black and the blackness has spread all over the nail, be sure to consider that the symptoms can occur for other reasons. Take it seriously and see a doctor.
When a trauma is applied to the toenail, the blood vessels under the nail bed and under the skin rupture, and when the nail grows, the bruising disappears. Toenail discoloration, which due to underlying diseases and other health conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, requires investigation and identification of the main causes
prevention
What tips should we follow to prevent our big toe from turning black?
- keep your nails short, clean and always dry, in other words, by taking care of yourself, you can prevent nail damage.
- Wear closed front shoes when working, especially heavy work, to prevent a heavy object from falling on the toes and injuring the toes afterwards. This is one of the cases that is considered as mandatory care.
- When exercising, especially running, be sure to wear standard shoes to prevent nail damage.
Prognosis of black toenails
To a large extent, this perspective and prognosis depend on the underlying cause of the black toenail. Cases associated with trauma are benign, and fungal infections have excellent results if treated. In other words, cases where black toenails follow trauma have the best therapeutic progress compared to fungal infections.
And when black toenails are due to melanoma and other diseases, the prognosis depends on the speed of diagnosis and treatment.