Table of contents:
- Causes of black toenails
- 1. Toenail trauma
- 2. Fungal infection
- 3. Melanoma
- 4. Changed nail pigments
- 5. Other conditions
Healthy fingernails are generally clear white in color. Well, changing the color of your toenails can sometimes be caused by several things, including too much use of nail polish, malnutrition, fungal infections, and injuries due to being hit or stepped on. However, some people experience blackened toenails, which may worry you. What are the causes of blackened toenails and is this a dangerous sign? Check out the full explanation below.
Causes of black toenails
1. Toenail trauma
In some cases, blackened toenails can be caused by being hit by a hard object. For example, your foot is crushed by a motorcycle tire or hit by a cupboard. Not infrequently, this can cause the blood vessels around the toes to burst and eventually black bruises. This can also be referred to as internal bleeding.
This condition can also cause your toes to feel painful and swollen. The doctor will treat this condition by draining blood through a syringe into the injured leg.
2. Fungal infection
A fungal infection can cause your nails to turn black and come off on their own. The fungus that grows on the nails will usually change the color of the nails to become dull and even dark. This infection is often caused by damp and dirty feet.
To solve this problem, the doctor will usually give you an antifungal cream or spray. You also need to maintain healthy foot hygiene.
3. Melanoma
In rare cases, black nails can be caused by melanoma. Melanoma is a precursor to cancer of the skin. Melanoma can cause dark, irregular patches of skin or fingers. Well, in some cases this melanoma can appear under the nail, or on the inner nail skin. You must immediately check the condition of your nails to the doctor. The reason is, melanoma grows and develops slowly without any particular symptoms.
4. Changed nail pigments
Someone's skin color, usually can change naturally. For people with dark skin, it is sometimes easier to experience pigment changes, including the color of the nails. This pigmentation change will usually affect the other toes. Nails can also become thick and enlarged if there is a black pigment change in them.
5. Other conditions
There are several other medical conditions that can cause blackened toenails, including:
- Diabetes
- Kidney illness
- Heart disease
- Anemia
In most cases, treating the basic causes above can help the nails change color to the way they were before. To determine exactly what causes your toenails to blacken, you should check with your doctor immediately.
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