What does a toenail turning black mean?

What causes black toenail? 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 debris buildup.

Is it bad if your toenail turns black?

Toenail turns black from a subungual melanoma This condition is by far the direst cause of a toenail turning black. A subungual melanoma is a form of skin cancer. The discoloration can be slow and painless, which makes it difficult to recognize as a serious condition.

Will black toenail go back to normal?

It will take between 6 to 9 months to go back to normal. In some cases, you should seek foot care in Toronto from a professional chiropodist so that you can safely treat your injured toenail: If the toenail is falling off.

How do you get rid of black toenails at home?

Vinegar is an antifungal ingredient that can be mixed with water to create a foot soak. It’s acetic acid component helps to whiten discolored toenails and stop the spread of the infection to other toes. Try two parts vinegar to one part warm water and soak feet for 20 minutes daily.

When should I go to the doctor for a bruised toenail?

If the subungual hematoma extends to a little over a quarter or half of your toenail, then you must seek treatment at a doctor’s office. If you experience throbbing or severe pain near the hematoma, your doctor will determine if the hematoma needs to be drained to relieve the pressure.

Do bruised toenails ever go away?

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. This could take anywhere from about eight weeks for a fingernail to six months for a toenail.

How common is toenail melanoma?

Melanoma of the nail unit is rare, accounting for only about 1% melanoma in white-skinned individuals. It arises in people of all races, whatever their skin colour. Although no more common in dark skin than fair skin, it is the most common type of melanoma diagnosed in deeply pigmented individuals.

What is the quickest way to cure toenail fungus?

The fastest way to eliminate the infection is through toenail laser treatment. Laser nail therapy specifically targets the microorganisms under your nail while leaving the keratin intact. In just a few treatments, the infection can be entirely eliminated.

What does it mean when your toenails are black?

A melanoma will often have a Hutchinson’s sign, which is characterized by a brown or black pigment in the nail bed that spreads to the cuticle and proximal or lateral nail folds. A black toenail from trauma doesn’t usually extend to the lateral nail folds and usually goes away without treatment as the nail grows.

How long does it take for black toenails to grow out?

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.

How to treat black spots on Your Toes?

1 Method 1 of 3: Treating Black Nails Caused by Injury. Look for signs of toenail injury. Consider whether your toe was recently injured in some way. 2 Method 2 of 3: Managing Toenail Fungus. Check for symptoms of a fungal infection. 3 Method 3 of 3: Dealing with Melanoma in the Toenail. Examine your nail for melanoma symptoms.

When to see a doctor for a black nail?

If you see a dark spot under your nail but there has been no injury to the toe, get it checked by a doctor right away. Other signs and symptoms of subungual melanoma include: [17] X Research source Brown or black streaks under the nail that may grow over time—particularly streaks that extend from the tip of the nail to the base of the nail bed