Basically, black toenail treatment can be done in three different ways:
- Cautery: Your doctor may use a battery operated instrument to burn a hole in the toenail so that the blood can drain
- Lancing: Your doctor may lance the nail using a large gauge, sterile needle
- Nail removal: It may be best to simply remove the whole nail and clean the nail bed. ...
How to cure black toenails?
Method 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. ...
- Use the RICE protocol to treat your nail at home. ...
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage pain. ...
- See your doctor if you have severe symptoms. ...
- Get immediate medical help if you see signs of infection. ...
- Protect your nail from further injury as it heals. ...
How to heal black toenail?
To treat a black toenail caused by injury or running, avoid any activities that put pressure on your nail for a couple of weeks, like running or hiking. Apply an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth to your toe to numb the pain and reduce swelling.
How to get rid of black toe fungus?
- The best way to get rid of black toenail fungus is to trim the toenail.
- It is also a good idea to clean out the underlying callus underneath the toenail.
- The key to curing black toenail fungus is to make sure the new toenail can grow back in safely without more fungus underneath it.
How to clean black toenails?
Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Using a Foot Soak and Scrub to Clean Toenails
- Soak your feet in warm water. Soaking your feet in warm water can help to loosen dirt and make it easier to clean them thoroughly.
- Exfoliate the skin around your toenails. Once you get done soaking your toenails, exfoliate the skin around the nails.
- Rinse away the soap and exfoliant. ...
- Dry thoroughly. ...
What causes the toe to turn 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).
How long do black toes take to heal?
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 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.
How do you lighten dark toenails?
White Vinegar White vinegar is another one of those handy household ingredients in everyone's kitchen cabinet that can work to eliminate dark toenails for good. Simply fill a plastic bowl with equal parts warm water and vinegar. Dip your toes into the solution for around 20-30 minutes, then rinse.
What to do if your toenail is black?
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. Black toenail caused by trauma from an injury usually resolves on its own without ...
How to prevent black toenail?
Reducing direct sun exposure to your feet and wearing sunscreen around your toes can help prevent melanoma. Black toenail attributed to other medical issues can be prevented through proper treatment and management of the underlying health condition. Last medically reviewed on June 16, 2017.
Why do my toenails grow out?
Cases related to trauma and fungal infection have the best outlook. In these instances, injured nails grow out, and fungal infections may be treated at home. Black toenail caused by melanoma and other health conditions are symptomatic. The outlook for such cases depends on how early you treat the underlying cause.
Why are my toenails dark brown?
Your toenails are especially vulnerable to fungal infections because they thrive on moist and warm environments . Melanoma: This is the most serious type of skin cancer, which often appears as a dark brown misshapen spot. Such spots can also occur underneath nail beds.
Does a black toenail go away?
Any black toenail that doesn’t go away should be looked at by a doctor. If you’re concerned about your black toenail and don’t already have a dermatologist, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.
Can you see a doctor for black toenail?
Knowing the cause can help you make this decision. On the flipside, if you don’t know the cause , it’s a good idea to see your doctor just in case your black toenail is a sign of a serious medical condition. Not all cases of toenail fungus require a doctor’s visit.
Can melanoma cause black spots on toenails?
It can also cause permanent nail damage. Complications can also arise from melanoma in the toenail that’s mistaken for trauma-induced black toenail. It’s important to see your doctor if you notice any black spots that might be spreading throughout the nail, or if they don’t go away despite your toenail growing out.
How to treat a black toenail?
Article Summary X. To treat a black toenail caused by injury or running, avoid any activities that put pressure on your nail for a couple of weeks , like running or hiking. Apply an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth to your toe to numb the pain and reduce swelling.
Why is my toenail black?
Fortunately, the causes of black toenails are usually not serious, and the condition is often easy to treat. The best treatment will depend on the cause of your black toenail. 2 of the most common causes are injury to the nail bed and fungal infections. Other common causes include systemic disorders, drugs, or inflammatory disorders.
What is a dark spot under my toe called?
Examine your nail for melanoma symptoms. A melanoma under the toenail (called a subungual melanoma) can resemble the type of dark bruise that occurs when the nail has been injured. 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.
How to keep toenail from getting bumped?
After the initial injury, your toenail will need time and TLC to recover completely. Wear closed-toed shoes with plenty of space around the toes to keep your injured toe from getting bumped or squeezed. You can also keep your toe safe and healthy by: Keeping the nail clean, trimmed, and free of polish while it heals.
How to treat a toenail hematoma?
2. Use the RICE protocol to treat your nail at home. If your hematoma is minor and not causing you a lot of pain, you can likely manage it at home without medical help. Use Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE) immediately after an injury to minimize swelling and pain and encourage your toenail to heal:
How to heal a toe nail?
For example, avoid running or hiking for a couple of weeks after the injury. Ice: Put an ice pack wrapped in cloth or plastic wrap on the injured toe to numb the pain and reduce swelling.
What causes a black nail bed?
Injury to the nail bed can cause blood to accumulate under the nail, creating a black or dark brown discoloration. This is called a subungual hematoma. You may also experience symptoms such as a feeling of pain or pressure under the nail.
What Causes a Black Toenail?
Most commonly, a black toenail signals a subungual hematoma, or blood pooling under the nail due to an acute or repetitive trauma, Dr. Lobkova says. As far as acute injury, think: dropping something heavy on your foot or stubbing a toe.
How to Treat a Black Toenail
If a subungual hematoma is the source of your black toenail, here are a few tactics you can take to help it heal properly.
When You Should See a Doctor
"When more than 75 percent of the nail is black or blue, or there is tenderness on compression or a pressure sensation," it's time to see a podiatrist, Dr. Lobkova says.
When to see a doctor for a black toenail?
When to see a doctor. A person should see a doctor if they experience a sudden, unexplainable black toenail, or if it does not heal with time and at-home treatments. In cases of trauma or injury, the discolored part of the nail will disappear as the nail grows out.
Why are my toenails black?
Fungal infections. Fungal infections are another common problem that can cause black toenails to form. Typically, a fungal infection causes a white or yellowish discoloration. However, debris can build up near the infection, causing the nail to appear black.
How to treat a fungal infection on a nail?
A person may be able to treat a fungal infection at home. Creams and ointments can be enough to kill the fungus and allow the nail to heal. These are available for purchase over the counter and online. However, if the infection does not go away after a few days, a person should consult a doctor.
Why does my toe feel sore?
When this happens, blood vessels in the nail bed break, causing blood to pool there. The injured toe will start to hurt and pool blood beneath the skin almost immediately . The buildup of blood will cause the toe to feel painful and swollen. A doctor can treat this condition by draining the blood with a pinprick. 3.
What to do if your nail detaches from the nail bed?
In severe cases, such as when the nail begins to detach from the nail bed, a person should seek medical treatment. 2. Blunt force. In some cases, the trauma may be a one-time blunt-force injury, for example, if a person drops a heavy object on their foot or toes.
What to do if you have a foot injury?
If a person has a repetitive injury, such as from wearing poorly-fitting shoes, it is likely a doctor will recommend resting the foot and switching shoes. Underlying conditions such as diabetes will need to be treated first by a doctor, who may also adjust someone’s regular treatment regime.
Can a black toenail grow out?
Long-term pressure on the toes from poorly-fitting shoes can cause a range of problems, from small blisters to bloody blisters under the nail. In mild cases, the black toenail will grow out naturally over time without treatment.
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How to prevent black toenails?
Black toenails may not be preventable, but it is possible that you can lower the risk of getting black toenails in the future. Here are few things you can do to minimize the risk: 1 Always practice trimming your toenails. Keeping them short will make it more difficult for toenail fungus to grow and thrive. This will also help the treatment you use to get underneath the nails easier. 2 Keep your feet dry, because fungus tends to grow in moist places. So keeping your feet dry is very important. If your someone suffering from stinky sweaty feet, then take extra precaution by changing your socks regularly and giving your shoe time to breathe whenever you get the chance. 3 You should avoid places where it is easy to get toenail fungus. So we don’t recommend going barefoot in public places, locker rooms and community showers. Also when getting a pedicure at a nail salon, you should make sure all the tools are properly sanitized, a fungus could be spread from a previous customer on to you. 4 Always practice good hygiene, make sure to take the time out of each day to take care of your feet. This will help to prevent a fungal infection from occurring. Keep your nails trim and dry at all time. 5 Always take the time to treat any issue with your toenails as soon as you notice a change or any symptoms.
Why are my toenails turning black?
Sometimes discoloration of the nails can occur from nail polish, trauma or infection. However, one of the leading cause of black toenails is toenail fungus. Before starting a treatment plan it is always necessary to find out what has caused your toenails to turn black, it will make it far easier to treat.
How to prevent fungal infection in toenails?
Always practice good hygiene , make sure to take the time out of each day to take care of your feet. This will help to prevent a fungal infection from occurring. Keep your nails trim and dry at all time. Always take the time to treat any issue with your toenails as soon as you notice a change or any symptoms.
What is the common symptom of toenail fungus?
The common symptoms involve with toenail fungus is discoloration, swelling, foul smell, thickening and brittle of the nails. Most people who have contracted toenail fungus usually have athlete’s foot as well, which is a fungal infection usually affecting the webbing of the toes and the feet.
How to get rid of fungus under toenails?
Always practice trimming your toenails. Keeping them short will make it more difficult for toenail fungus to grow and thrive. This will also help the treatment you use to get underneath the nails easier. Keep your feet dry, because fungus tends to grow in moist places. So keeping your feet dry is very important.
How to keep your feet dry?
If your someone suffering from stinky sweaty feet, then take extra precaution by changing your socks regularly and giving your shoe time to breathe whenever you get the chance . You should avoid places where it is easy to get toenail fungus.
Can you use Northwest Toenail Fungus?
But, most people would rather treat the problem in the comfort of their home. If you are ready to put an end to the pain and embarrassment of a black toenail, you can start by using Purely Northwest Toenail Fungus System.
Why does my toe bang on my shoes?
Other causes may include the following: Sudden trauma or injury to the toe or toenail. Fungal infection.
What causes a toe to swell?
Other causes may include the following: 1 Sudden trauma or injury to the toe or toenail. 2 Fungal infection. 3 “Morton’s toe,” a condition in which an individual’s second toe is longer than the big toe. 4 Rarely, a subungual (occurring under the toenail) melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
What is the condition where the second toe is longer than the big toe?
Fungal infection. “Morton’s toe,” a condition in which an individual’s second toe is longer than the big toe. Rarely, a subungual (occurring under the toenail) melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Black toenail fungus questionnaire
Use our free symptom checker to find out if you have 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.
Signs of a toenail fungal infection
Discolored toenails. Nails can be brown, black, white, or yellow. Usually a small area changes color at first and it slowly spreads.
Black toenail fungus questionnaire
Use our free symptom checker to find out if you have black toenail fungus.
How fungus forms on toenails
Usually toenail infection develops when the nail or surrounding skin has a small crack or cut and the area is exposed to fungus in the environment.
Is it fungus or melanoma?
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that can develop on the nail bed. It has a dark brown or black color and can be mistaken for toenail fungus or another toenail problem like a bruise. Melanoma is much less common than toenail fungus, but it can be life-threatening if not caught early.
How to get rid of toenail fungus
All treatments can take up to a year to work, so you need to be consistent and commit to following the treatment plan for the long haul.
