Caleb Foster
Blackening of the nails can be caused by a number of factors, including injury, fungal infection, bacterial infection, and, in rare cases, skin cancer. This article will explore the potential causes of blackened nails and explain how to treat them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Trauma or injury |
| Bruising | |
| Fungal infection | |
| Bacterial infection | |
| Health conditions affecting circulation, e.g. diabetes, kidney disease, heart infection, psoriasis, or anemia | |
| Vitamin B12 deficiency | |
| Melanoma | |
| Treatment | Fungal infections can usually be treated at home |
| Infections and melanoma require prompt medical attention |
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What You'll Learn
Black toenails are usually bruises
However, there are other potential causes of black toenails. Toenails are particularly susceptible to fungal infections, as socks and shoes can provide a warm and moist breeding ground for a fungus to grow. Debris can build up near the infection, causing the nail to appear black. Fungal infections can usually be treated at home and may not require a doctor's diagnosis.
In rare cases, a black toenail may be due to melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Melanoma causes the skin to develop one or more patches of dark, irregular-looking skin. In some cases, the patch of darkening skin grows beneath the nail bed. Melanoma develops slowly and without other symptoms, so people often do not notice it in the early stages, especially if it originates under the toenail. If you have spreading discolouration outside the nail or bumps under the nail, it's important to call a healthcare provider so they can examine you for infection or skin cancer.
Health conditions that affect circulation, such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart infection, psoriasis, or anemia, can also cause discoloured toenails. In people with diabetes, discoloured toenails tend to be more of a yellowish hue, though blackening can occur in some cases. Certain deficiencies, such as a vitamin B12 deficiency, can also lead to black toenails.
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Fungal infections can cause black toenails
Blackening of the nails can be caused by a number of factors. In most cases, a black toenail is a bruise under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma. This can be caused by stubbing a toe or wearing shoes that are too tight. The bruise will usually start out red, then become purple, dark brown, and finally black.
However, in some cases, black toenails can be caused by fungal infections. Toenails are particularly susceptible to fungal infections, as socks and shoes can provide a warm and moist breeding ground for a fungus to grow. Fungal infections typically cause white or yellowish discolouration, but debris can build up near the infection, causing the nail to appear black. People can usually treat fungal infections at home and they may not require a doctor's diagnosis.
In rare cases, a black toenail may be a sign of melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Melanoma causes the skin to develop one or more patches of dark, irregular-looking skin. In some cases, the patch of darkening skin grows beneath the nail bed. Melanoma develops slowly and without other symptoms, so people often do not notice it in the early stages, especially if it originates under the toenail. If you have spreading discolouration outside the nail or bumps under the nail, it is important to call a healthcare provider so they can examine you for infection or skin cancer.
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Black toenails can be a sign of melanoma
However, there are other possible causes of black toenails. Typically, a fungal infection causes white or yellowish discolouration. However, debris can build up near the infection, causing the nail to appear black. Toenails are particularly susceptible to fungal infections, as socks and shoes can provide a warm and moist breeding ground for a fungus to grow. In some cases, certain deficiencies can cause black toenails. A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to black toenails. Fortunately, the discolouration is reversible.
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 crams your feet into the front of the shoe. 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.
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Bacterial infections can cause black toenails
Blackening of the nails can be caused by a number of factors. In most cases, it is caused by a bruise under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma. This can be caused by stubbing a toe or wearing shoes that are too tight. However, bacterial infections can also cause black toenails.
It is important to note that black toenails can also be a sign of something more serious, such as melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Melanoma causes the skin to develop one or more patches of dark, irregular-looking skin, which can grow beneath the nail bed. If you notice spreading discolouration outside the nail or bumps under the nail, it is important to seek medical advice to rule out any serious underlying conditions.
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Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to black toenails
Blackening of the nails can be caused by a number of factors. In most cases, a black toenail is caused by a bruise under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma. This can be caused by stubbing your toe or wearing shoes that are too tight. In some cases, a black toenail can be caused by a fungal infection, as socks and shoes can provide a warm and moist breeding ground for fungus to grow. In rare cases, a black toenail can be a sign of melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Melanoma causes the skin to develop one or more patches of dark, irregular-looking skin, which can grow beneath the nail bed.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also lead to black toenails. This is a reversible condition, and the discolouration will disappear as the nail grows out. If you have a black toenail and suspect it may be due to a vitamin B12 deficiency, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. They may recommend dietary changes or supplements to address the deficiency and improve nail health.
It is important to note that black toenails can also be a symptom of other health conditions, such as diabetes, vascular disease, kidney disease, heart infection, psoriasis, or anemia. If you have a black toenail and are concerned about the underlying cause, it is always best to seek medical advice. Your healthcare provider can examine your nail and determine the appropriate course of action.
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Frequently asked questions
The blackening of nails is usually caused by a bruise under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma. This can be caused by stubbing a toe or wearing shoes that are too tight.
If your nails are blackening, it is important to seek medical advice to rule out any serious conditions. In rare cases, black nails can be a sign of melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
If the blackening is caused by a bruise, the nail will usually grow out over 6 to 9 months. Fungal infections can usually be treated at home and may not require a doctor's diagnosis.
