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.
Is it normal to have a dark toenail?
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.
Why do toenails get dark with age?
Blood vessels beneath the nail bed burst open, leaving small pools of blood trapped there that appear black, or maybe purple or dark red
. Even if you haven’t injured your toe, you can expect subtle changes to your toenails simply as product of aging.
How do I get my toenails back to normal color?
The only way to get rid of nail polish-related discoloration is to
take a break from painting your nails
. Even a break of just two or three weeks can resolve the issue.
How do you whiten dark toenails?
Hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, baking soda, and even whitening toothpaste
can also be used to whiten toenails naturally. To prevent discolored toenails, feet should be washed often, and a base coat should be applied before using dark nail polish. Toenail whitener can eliminate the staining caused by dark nail polish.
How do you get rid of dark toenails naturally?
Vinegar is an antifungal ingredient that can be mixed with water to create a foot soak
. It’s acetic acid component helps to whiten discolored toenails and stop the spread of the infection to other toes. Try two parts vinegar to one part warm water and soak feet for 20 minutes daily.
What does dark nails mean?
Melanonychia is the term for dark pigmentation of the fingernails or toenails
. The discoloration can be a natural occurrence in people with dark skin, but it may sometimes indicate health issues. Melanonychia is a nail condition in which melanin is present in the nail plate.
Why are my big toenails turning brown?
If your toenails are yellow or brown, they’re probably infected. Toenails that are unusually thick with a yellow or brown-tinge are
most likely the result of a fungal infection
. A microscopic fungus, Cunha said, may affect one or more nails at a time.
What does your toenails say about your health?
Your toenails tell a lot about your overall health.
A fungal infection often causes thickened yellow toenails
. Thick, yellow nails also can be a sign of an underlying disease, including lymphedema (swelling related to the lymphatic system), lung problems, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
What does Vicks VapoRub do for toenails?
Although designed for cough suppression, its active ingredients (camphor and eucalyptus oil)
may help treat toenail fungus
. A 2011 study found that Vicks VapoRub had a “positive clinical effect” in the treatment of toenail fungus. To use, apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub to the affected area at least once a day.
Why is my toenail brown and thick?
Thick yellow toenails are
usually caused by a fungal infection called onychomycosis
. This can be irritating or painful. It’s less common, but the infection can affect your fingernails as well. Thick yellow toenails can be prevented by taking certain precautions.
What nail color says about your health?
Healthy fingernails and toenails should generally be a pink color
– with the healthy nail plate being pink, and the nail being white in color as it grows off the nail bed. Fingernail color and condition changes are rarely the first clue of serious illness.
How do you fix discolored nails?
Why does my big toe 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).
What does the color of your toenails mean?
Toenail Color
A healthy toenail is a shade of pale pink
, much like your fingernail. Any yellowing or tinges of black color means something is not right. For example, if your toenails become yellow, you probably have a fungal infection.
How does nail polish cure discolored toenails?
If the toenails look dry, cracked and brittle from long-term polish use, you can
apply a vitamin E oil or lotion, rubbing it gently into the nail and cuticle to moisturize them
.
