Fungal infections: While these often look white or yellow, fungal infections can sometimes cause black toenails from debris buildup. Your toenails are especially vulnerable to fungal infections because they thrive on moist and warm environments.
Full Answer
What does it mean when your toenail fungus turns black?
What Does It Mean When Toenail Fungus Turns Black? Toenail fungus or onychomycosis is a common disease that affects the nails. Contrary to popular opinion, most toenail infections start on the skin and then spread to adjacent nails. Over time, infected toenails may change color and turn black.
Why do I have a dark spot on my toenail?
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.
What causes toenail fungus and how can you prevent it?
One of the main causes of toenail fungus is poor hygiene, and the chances of getting toenail fungus increase with age – men being more likely to get it over women. This could be due to many factors, but most likely because men typically don’t take care of their foot/nail hygiene as much as women do. Who Suffers From Toenail Fungus?
Can toenail fungus turn nails into different colors?
The answer is yes, toenail fungus can turn nails into a number of colors. The most common color is yellow nails, followed by black, brown, orange, green and blue. Can Toenail Fungus Spread? If the fungus is left untreated it is able to spread to other parts of your body and will even make the situation more difficult to cure.
What does it mean when toenail fungus turns black?
Typically, a fungal infection causes a white or yellowish discoloration. 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 become established.
Does nail fungus make your nail black?
Nail fungus can cause the nail to become thick or ragged and appear yellow, green, brown or black. An infected nail may separate from the nail bed.
Does nail fungus turn black when it dies?
A toenail can also become discolored from fungal infections in the skin under and around the nail. Toes can turn black from a lack of circulation causing gangrene, which is death of body tissue. If there is any doubt what is causing your black toenail, see your doctor or podiatrist.
How do I get rid of discolored toenail fungus?
What You Can Do About Discolored Toenails. If you develop toenail fungus, you can treat the infection with an antifungal cream or an oral medication. For other causes of toenail discoloration, make sure your feet are well protected and avoid walking barefoot to prevent an injury or infection.
How do I know if my toenail fungus is dying?
Top 5 signs your toenail fungus has gone nuclearNail color changes. If your nail turns white and chalky or yellow, it's not a good sign. ... Nail position changes. If your nail starts to curl downward or upward, it's time to be concerned. ... Nail texture changes. ... Nail smell changes. ... Nail sensation changes.
How do you fix 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.
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.
What does it mean when your nails turn black?
Melanonychia is caused when the pigment cells, called melanocytes, deposit melanin — brown-colored pigment — into the nail. These deposits are usually grouped together. As your nail grows, it causes the stripe of brown or black to appear on your nail.
What causes toenails to turn black and thicken?
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.
How do you get rid of black toenails naturally?
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.
Can you file off nail fungus?
Toenail Fungus Home Care Sometimes it's possible to treat your toenail fungus at home. You can try: Over the counter antifungal creams or ointments. File or cut off any white markings on your nails.
Why are my nails turning black?
Melanonychia is caused when the pigment cells, called melanocytes, deposit melanin — brown-colored pigment — into the nail. These deposits are usually grouped together. As your nail grows, it causes the stripe of brown or black to appear on your nail.
Why are my nails 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 treat black fungus?
Is there any treatment for black fungus? First intravenous (IV) antifungal medications (amphotericin B, posaconazole, or isavuconazole) are given to the patient and then surgery is performed to cut away the infected tissue.
Why did my toenail turn black and fall off?
After trauma Stubbing your toe or dropping an item on your foot can damage your toenail. Depending on the severity of the injury, your toenail might turn black and fall off. Toenail regrowth tends to be slower after an injury or trauma, taking anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
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.
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.
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 ...
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 prevent black toenails?
Here are some tips to help you prevent black toenails: Keep toenails trimmed properly, not too short and straight across. Wear properly fitting shoes. Shoes should offer a wide enough toe box that your toes are not pressed against one another. Wear footwear that will protect your feet.
What are the symptoms of a black toenail?
Symptoms of a black toenail may include: Discoloration, which may be reddish, purplish, brownish, or black. Pain. Foul odor. Discharge from underneath nail. Although symptoms are not always present, there are a wide range of symptoms that can occur. In the case of an underlying infection, there may be pain associated with redness, swelling, ...
What is it called when a nail is discolored?
When trauma occurs to a nail resulting in discoloration it is referred to as a subungual hematoma, which simply means there is a collection of blood underneath the nail. This collection not only causes the nail to become discolored, it also generates a tremendous amount of pressure, leading to intense pain. In many cases, medical treatment is ...
Why does my nail fall off on its own?
Often the nail comes loose and falls off on its own within days of the trauma due to the blood collection causing it to separate from the nail bed.
Why do doctors remove nails?
If trauma was involved, depending on the type and severity of the injury and what percentage of the nail is discolored, your doctor may decide to remove your nail in order to examine the nail bed for lacerations and exposed bone.
How to prevent toe nail problems?
Try to avoid walking barefoot; this can make your toes and feet susceptible to injury or trauma. Keep feet and nails clean and dry. Always wear clean socks and shoes. Let shoes air out between uses. Treat any nail problems during their early stages. Talk with a podiatrist about additional prevention tips.
How long does it take for black toenails to heal?
On average, black toenails can take up to a few months to completely heal and return to normal, as nails tend to grow at a rate of approximately 3mm a month.
What does it mean when your toenail is dark?
a dark stripe running the length of the toenail appears or changes. the nail is painful. the area around the nail looks red or swollen and infected. the nail itself is green and black and appears infected. the nails are pitted.
Why are my toenails discolored?
The most frequent reason for discolored toenails is nail fungus, which is challenging to treat but rarely a serious source of discomfort.
Why are my toenails turning purple?
Toenail discoloration is a common problem. Possible causes of this symptom range from minor toe injuries to severe health conditions. Toenails are usually semi-transparent, but they can sometimes become discolored, turning purple, black, green, or yellow, depending on the cause. Several health conditions and other factors can cause toenail ...
What is the medical term for nail fungus?
The medical term for nail fungus is onychomycosis, and it causes about 50% of nail diseases. Nail fungus affects toenails more often than fingernails, with the infection typically developing on the big toe first. Toenail fungus can often begin as a skin infection called athlete’s foot.
How many people have nail fungus?
Nail fungus affects up to 14% of people in North America. A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that toenail fungal infections are more likely to affect: older people — the prevalence is 18.2% in people aged 60–79 years compared with 0.7% in people younger than 19 years.
What are the signs of discoloration of toenails?
green and black. dark red and black. Other symptoms associated with toenail discoloration include: thickening nails. nails that crack easily. nails lifting off the skin. pitting, which is the formation of little dents in the nail. blood under the nails. buildup of debris under the nails.
How to heal a toenail?
steroid injections near the nail. laser therapy. phototherapy. Most toe injuries heal with home treatments, such as OTC pain relievers and rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). The body will usually absorb the pooled blood over time, and a healthy new toenail will grow out.
What is a dark spot on my toenail?
Melanoma is a skin cancer. It begins as a dark line that stretches the length of the toenail. Slowly, it becomes wider. The toenail may crack. If a dark spot is from a blood blister, as the nail grows the spot will move and gradually disappear.
What causes black toenails?
Infections like Athlete’s Foot can spread to your toenails. The result is toenails in various shades from yellow to black. You may also spot a chalky white substance on your nail bed. The severity of the black toenail fungus infection varies.
How long does it take for a black toenail to grow out?
The blisters make your toenail partially or wholly detached from the nail plate. A partial detachment hurts more than a completely detached nail. If your nail is completely detached it takes 3 months to a year for a new nail to grow in.
How long does it take for a toenail to heal?
If your toe isn’t broken, and the nail is intact, the toe should heal on its own. Expect the toenail to fall off. It can take up to 6 months for it to regrow.
How much does it cost to treat black toenail fungus?
Laser treatment is another option. It’s very expensive. A one-time treatment can cost $1,000. Additional treatments are $500 each.
Why does my toe turn black?
If you stub your toe or drop something heavy on it, it will bruise. The toenail turns black when an injury causes bleeding under the nail.
How to reduce swelling in feet?
Apply an Icepack to Reduce Swelling. Alternate the Icepack On and Off in 10 Minute Intervals. Keep Your Foot Elevated to Prevent Blood Pooling. If swelling and blisters are unbearable, a doctor can drain the blood to relieve the pressure.
Why are my toenails brown?
Brown toenails can be very unattractive, Brown toenails can be due to a variety of factors but the most common one is toenail fungus. We hope this guide helps you in taking action and getting rid of your brown toenails once and for all.
How long does it take for fungus to heal on toenails?
Many users reported improvement after only one to two weeks of using the product, and their nails were completely clear and beautiful in six to twelve weeks.
What is the best nail fungus treatment?
Funginix Toenail Fungus Treatment is one of the best selling treatment for nail fungus worldwide. The product contains some of the most powerful ingredients including herbal extract and essential oils that are able to kill nail fungus in a matter of weeks, rarely causing any side effects. It comes with an easy to use applicator and boasts a high success rate.
What is a toenail fungus system?
This toenail fungus system contains three product, an antifungal foot and body wash, ReNew nail solution and a foot soak. All of them meant to treat your foot and nail fungus effectively, leaving your toenails looking beautiful once more.
What is the best treatment for brown toenails?
You receive the foot and body wash, the foot soak and nail solution. All of them contains 100% natural ingredients, we strongly believe this is a great treatment, it is our highest rated foot and nail treatment, it will help to get rid of your brown toenails once and for all.
Why are my nails turning brown?
It Could Be Nail Fungus! If you are experiencing discoloration of the nails, in which the nails become orange, yellow, green or Brown, there is a high chance that you have contracted nail fungus. Nail Fungus, otherwise known as Onychomycosis is a common infection that affects over 30 million people worldwide.
How many people get nail fungus?
In these days it’s pretty easy to get contracted with nail fungus, it is reported that 10% of people will contract nail fungus at some point in their life. If you have nail fungus you should notice the sudden color change in your nails, because once the fungus grows, ...
What does it mean when your toenail turns black?
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. 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 long does it take for a black toenail to grow out?
Expect your black toenail to grow out in about 6 to 9 months or longer.
What happens if you stub your toe and it turns blue?
If you stub your toe and it turns blue, you might not think twice about the color. But if you get a blue spot or a blue toenail for no clear reason, play it safe and see a doctor. You may have a blue mole beneath the nail. It’s probably harmless. But in very rare cases, a type of blue mole called a cellular blue nevus can become cancer.
Why do I have a white streak on my toe?
Stubbing your toe doesn’t always lead to a bruise. That’s because the blood vessels under the nail might not break and leak blood. Instead, you might get a white spot on your toenail. It won’t don’t disappear like a bruise, but it will grow out in time. Toe trauma can also cause a white streak -- though you might not know you hurt yourself. For example, it can happen when sneakers are too small and your toe hits the front of the shoe.
What is the yellowish patch on the bottom of the toenail?
Another type of fungal infection is called proximal subungual onychomycosis. It looks like a whitish or yellowish patch that starts at the base of the toenail, near the cuticle. The infection is rare in healthy people. More often, it happens in people with weakened immune systems. It can also be a sign of HIV.
How to treat yellow nail?
This type of fungal infection is so common that you might not even need to see a doctor for treatment. Try an over-the-counter antifungal cream. If your nail is yellow and thick, gently file down the surface so that the drug can reach deeper layers. If at-home treatment doesn’t work, a doctor visit is in order.
Why do I have green nail polish?
Unless you’re wearing green nail polish, this is a color you don’t want to see on your toenails. It could be green-nail syndrome (chloronychia), which is caused by an infection. The culprit is usually bacteria that thrive in damp or wet conditions. Think hot tubs, sponges, even tight-fitting shoes that you’ve worn for a long time. The color is underneath the nail, so don’t try to scrub it off. Visit your doctor instead.
How to get rid of fungus on toenail?
After trimming, make sure you clean your toenail clipper thoroughly with hot, soapy water, and then wash it with rubbing alcohol. The fungus can easily spread to other toes if you use the same clipper without cleaning it. Now start by using a spoon or something similar to scoop out the Vicks.
Why do men get toenail fungus?
One of the main causes of toenail fungus is poor hygiene, and the chances of getting toenail fungus increase with age – men being more likely to get it over women. This could be due to many factors, but most likely because men typically don’t take care of their foot/nail hygiene as much as women do.
How does toenail fungus grow?
Once the fungus enters, the warm, dark environment that it finds in shoes and socks allow it to grow and spread. The fungus starts by growing under the nail bed, making it very difficult to reach with any sort of medication.
How to get rid of Vicks on toes?
To get to the edges, into the cuticle, and around the nail bed, use a cotton swab or a Q-tip. Make sure to rub the Vicks in as thoroughly as possible, and then cover your toes with a bandage. This will help the treatment absorb rather than rubbing off on everything you step on. Repeat this process twice a day.
How does fungus start?
The fungus starts by growing under the nail bed, making it very difficult to reach with any sort of medication. The standard treatment usually involves prescription medication or partial or full removal of the toenail. (OUCH!) The fungus first appears as a black spot on the toenail.
What happens if you let fungus go?
If you let it go, your nail may thicken, change color further, and even produce a foul odor (no one wants this).
Can toenail fungus spread to all of your toes?
It can start on one toe, and if you’re not careful, can spread to all your toes and even to other people in your household.