FAQs
Subungual hematomas are caused by trauma to the nail bed. The nail discoloration changes from red to purple to black as the blood clots. Treatment is predominantly supportive, but clot evacuation and nail removal are options if the hematoma causes severe pain.
How do you treat a black fingernail? ›
Home remedies
- Rest: Rest the finger or toe and avoid using it where possible.
- Ice: Use an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain.
- Compression: Apply pressure, such as a wrap, to the area immediately to reduce the amount of blood that can pool.
- Elevation: Keep the affected hand or foot elevated to reduce swelling.
Black Nails
It is often seen as a normal association with a dark complexion. However, it is also seen with lichen planus. It could additionally indicate a subungual melanoma, or nevus, as well as an adverse effect of some drugs such as psoralens, phenytoin, sulfonamides and antimalarial drugs.
What does stage 1 nail melanoma look like? ›
The most common symptom of subungual melanoma is a discolored line that appears on your nail. It's usually brown or black and runs from top to bottom (vertical). In some cases, the line can be irregularly shaped and increase in length and width over time.
When should I be concerned about black nails? ›
A black toenail is usually not cause for concern and, in many cases, will clear up by itself over time. It usually results from injury or a fungal infection. In rare cases, however, a black toenail can be a sign of melanoma.
Should I go to the doctor if my nail is black? ›
Toenails can turn black from nutritional deficiencies, infection, or trauma. This may go away on its own. If not, see your doctor to rule out a more serious cause.
What does one black fingernail mean? ›
If you see a man with a single painted nail, most often the ring finger, he is probably partaking in the Polished Man campaign. This campaign was started by Elliot Costello when he traveled to Cambodia and met a little girl named Thea. Thea recounted the sexual abuse she suffered.
What vitamin deficiency causes black nails? ›
Melanonychia can be caused by inflammatory skin diseases that affect your nails. It can also be caused by inflammation due to friction from shoes and biting your nails. Poor nutrition. Malnutrition can cause melanonychia, especially a lack of protein, vitamin D, or vitamin B12.
How to get rid of black nails? ›
If your black toenails are caused by a fungal infection, you can get rid of them with antifungal ointments, creams, or oral medications. If your black toenails are caused by trauma or injury, no specific treatment is needed and the issue will typically resolve within a few days.
What do black nails indicate? ›
Black toenails are typically caused by trauma and sports-related issues (such as runner's toe) and are less commonly caused by malignancies, fungal infections, or other systemic health conditions.
The two most common misdiagnoses of subungual melanoma are striate melanonychia and onychomycosis.
How can you tell the difference between nail fungus and melanoma? ›
What does melanoma under a toenail look like? Melanoma under the toenail looks very much like a fungal toenail. The nail can be thickened, discolored, and deformed – just like a fungal toenail. Sometimes melanoma under the nail has black streaks, or even digs in just like an ingrown toenail.
How do I know if my nail line is melanoma? ›
Subungual melanoma is a rare type of skin cancer that occurs under the nails. Symptoms include streaks on the nails, color changes in or around the nail, a bruise under the nail that does not heal, and the nails separating from the nail bed. Melanoma can affect any area of the skin.
Why is my nail turning black without injury? ›
When bacteria cause a nail infection, the nail can turn greenish black as shown here. Without treatment, a nail infection tends to worsen. Treatment can get rid of your pain and tenderness and help clear the infection.
What illness causes black nails? ›
Health conditions that affect circulation like diabetes and kidney disease, heart infection, psoriasis, or anemia can cause discolored toenails. 3 In people with diabetes, discolored toenails tend to be more of a yellowish hue, though blackening can occur in some cases.
What do B12 deficiency nails look like? ›
2 Nail changes in vitamin B12 deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks. The nail pigmentation associated with B12 deficiency is more frequent in patients with dark skin.
How long does it take for a blackened nail to heal? ›
A Quick Review
However, black toenails caused by injuries can be very painful, cause significant discoloration of the nail that can last up to nine months, and sometimes lead to permanent nail changes. Treatment approaches may include rest, ice, elevation, and compression.
How can I treat my black nails at home? ›
Soak your toe in cold water for 20 minutes, dry your feet and then apply the anti-fungal ointment prescribed by your doctor. Once you are done, cover your toenail with a clean bandage. If your toenails begin to detach, you should file your nail to prevent further tearing.
What is the best thing to do with a black nail? ›
How Are Black Toenails Treated? If the black toenail is not causing you pain and less than half of the nail is black, there is no need to treat it. Over time, the nail will grow out and the discoloration will no longer be present.
Should a black nail be removed? ›
In mild cases, no treatment is needed, and the black nail will simply grow out. But in some cases, the subungual hematoma can cause pain—the more blood under your nail, the more it will hurt, says Metzl. If this is the case, head to your doctor.
