If you stubbed your toenail or recently went for a long run in shoes that were probably a little too tight, you may eventually notice that your toenail turns an interesting shade of black or blue. While unsightly, is it a cause for concern, or is it something that you can manage on your own? In today’s blog, we explain when to worry about a black toenail and what you can do to treat these injuries.
The Basics Of Black Toenails
In the vast majority of cases, black toenails are caused by blood pooling underneath the toenail, otherwise known as a subungual hematoma. This bleeding or bruising can develop underneath your toenail as a result of trauma on the area, either in the acute or chronic form. Dropping a heavy box on your toe is an example of acute trauma that could result in a subungual hematoma, whereas runners may develop them as a result of the repetitive stress on the toenail following a long or intense run.
When truama is the underlying cause of a blackened toenail, there’s less to worry about than if it seemingly developed out of nowhere. That’s not to say that you can just ignore it, because you’ll certainly want to monitor it, but knowing that trauma is the cause solves the question of why it developed in the first place. You wouldn’t do a lot for a bruise that developed on your arm or your leg with a known cause of acute trauma, and the same applies with your toe for the most part.
However, because your toenail can limit the natural formation of swelling and bruising, you’ll want to keep an eye on the toenail. If it is starting to become dislodged from the nailbed or it has become extremely painful, you may want to have it looked at by a professional. Work to keep the area clean and protected from additional trauma in the meantime. Even with additional protection, it’s possible that the nail will disengage from the nailbed as a result of the trauma, and you can learn more about how to care for a nail that has fallen off on this blog.
Essentially, with a subungual hematoma, you’ll want to protect the area from further trauma and keep a watchful eye on it. As long as it seems to be improving, you can likely manage the condition at home.
However, we do want to circle back to a point we made at the beginning of the blog, and that’s in regards to why the blackened toenail developed in the first place. If you don’t believe you suffered trauma to the nail but it has become discolored or blackened, you should consider having it looked at by your primary care provider or a foot specialist. Although trauma is the most common cause of blackened toenails, it’s not the only cause, and its onset could be the result of an infection, a response to an underlying health issue like diabetes, or even a sign of cancer development. All of these issues will be best treated by professional hands, so connect with a physician if you don’t believe trauma is the root cause of your toenail discoloration.
There’s a good chance you’ll experience a blackened toenail at some point in your life, as we all stub our toes at one time or another, but watchful waiting and some protective management strategies can help you overcome the injury. For more hands-on care, reach out to a specialist in your area like Dr. Silverman!