Are black toe nails normal?

Are black toe nails normal? Are black toe nails normal?, Should I be worried if my toenail is black?, What does it mean when your toenails are black?, Why are my toe nails dark?, Are black nails healthy?

Are black toe nails normal?

A black toenail can be due to various causes such as an underlying medical condition, physical injury, secondary to any drug intake, etc.

Should I be worried if my toenail is black?

A black toenail can be due to various causes such as an underlying medical condition, physical injury, secondary to any drug intake, etc.

What does it mean when your toenails are black?

In conclusion, black toenails are not just a cosmetic issue and can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. Whether caused by toenail fungus, melanoma, or trauma, it is important to have black toenails checked by our experts at Premier Podiatry & Orthopedics.

Why are my toe nails dark?

If your toenail turns black, it's most likely a bruise under the nail, technically called a subungual hematoma.

Are black nails healthy?

Toe nail fungus can make your toe nails become yellow, reddish brown, green, or black. If left untreated, the infection will spread, and the discolored area will get larger. Some common causes of nail fungus are sweaty and damp feet, walking barefoot, cuts or scraps near the nail, and improper foot hygiene.

What does Stage 1 nail melanoma look like?

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.


Do black toenails go away?

Subungual melanoma presents as brown-black discolorations of the nail bed. It can present as either a streak of pigment or irregular pigmentation. The discoloration can progress to thickening, splitting, or destruction of the nail with pain and inflammation.

When is a black toenail serious?

Black toenails will typically go away on their own, but it can take several months. The condition will diminish once new tissue grows completely under the toenail itself. There are several ways to prevent a black toenail from happening in the first place.

Are dark toenails bad?

You'll need to see a dermatologist if you suspect melanoma. However, if your black toenail is caused by another underlying health issue, such as diabetes, then you'll also need to see your primary doctor to treat the cause. Any black toenail that doesn't go away should be looked at by a doctor.

Does a black toenail mean diabetes?

Toenail discoloration is a common problem with many possible causes, ranging from injuries to severe health conditions. The most frequent reason for discolored toenails is nail fungus, which is challenging to treat but rarely a serious source of discomfort.

What do unhealthy toenails look like?

Black toenail also develops when you have an underlying ailment such as, Diabetes. Kidney Problems. Heart diseases.

How do you fix black toenails?

Like your fingernail, a healthy toenail is a light pink color. Any yellowing or hints of black hue indicate a problem. For instance, you are most likely to have a fungal infection if your toenails start to become yellow. Yellowing can also be a side effect of diabetes, liver disease, or smoking.

Do toenails turn dark with age?

In mild cases, no treatment is needed, and the black nail will simply grow out. But if you're in a lot of pain, your doctor can drain the blood from your nail, which relieves the pressure.

Can nails be naturally black?

Among nail plate colour changes in elderly people, the most commonly observed alteration is a yellow to gray discoloration with dull, pale, or opaque appearance.

Do black nails mean anything?

Melanonychia is the term for dark pigmentation of the nails. The discoloration in the nails may be black or brown. Melanonychia can be a natural occurrence in people with dark skin, but it can also indicate health issues. Melanonychia is a nail condition in which melanin is present in the nail plate.

What do liver failure nails look like?

Wild, daring, sassy, sexy, dramatic, confident; wearing black nail polish can mean all of the above, and so much more.

What does a cancerous toenail look like?

Terry's nails is a type of nail discoloration. The nailbeds look “washed out,” except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. Often, Terry's nails is a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes.

How do I know if my toenail is black or melanoma?

A cancerous toenail may have the following symptoms:

Brown-black discolorations of the nail bed (may look like a dark, narrow band in the nail or a wide and irregular area of pigmentation) Nail thickening. Nail splitting. Nail separating from the nail bed (the white top edge of the nail may look longer as the nail ...


What is the survival rate for nail melanoma?

If the bottom of the nail is stained black, malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, may be suspected. Subungual melanoma (SUM) is rare but has very poor prognosis. 5-year survival rates vary from 16 to 80%.

Why is my toenail black if I didn't hit it?

Black toenails can be caused by underlying medical conditions. Apparently unrelated conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and anemia, can also cause discolored toenails. So don't ignore any discolored toenail that doesn't disappear on its own, and relatively promptly.

What deficiency causes black nails?

Reversible melanonychia has been reported with vitamin-B12 deficiency, especially in dark-skinned individuals. [2] Reduced glutathione levels in B12 deficiency causes disinhibition of tyrosinase, the major enzyme involved in melanogenesis.

Why do diabetics toes turn black?

Gangrene is a condition that occurs when your body tissue dies. This can happen when the blood flow to an area of the body is disrupted. Often, gangrene is the result of an injury or an infection of the skin and soft tissue. High blood sugar can also affect your blood vessels and limit the blood flow to your feet.

How long does it take for a black toenail to disappear?

The trapped blood will eventually be reabsorbed, and the dark mark will disappear. This can take 2–3 months for a fingernail, and up to 9 months for a toenail. If there is severe damage to the nail bed, the nail may be malformed or cracked when it grows back.

What happens if you don't drain blood under nail?

Without drainage, you may experience intense pain or other symptoms such as feeling pressure on the nail. The hematoma may change colors from red to purple to dark brown to black. The pressure of the blood underneath the nail's surface may also cause the nail to fall off partially or completely.

Are black toenails permanent?

This infection doesn't usually go away on its own, and it can take a year or more to treat it with prescription medications. These are applied to the nail or taken in pill form.

What is a healthy 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. Yellowing can also be the result of smoking or a side effect of diabetes or a liver condition.

How do you get rid of black toenails naturally?

A change in the color and temperature of your feet. Thickened, yellow toenails. Fungus infections such as athlete's foot between your toes. A blister, sore, ulcer, infected corn, or ingrown toenail.

What are the first signs of diabetes in feet?

What to Look For in Diabetic Toenails. The first toenail change you'll notice in diabetic patients is likely to be discoloration. Most have some yellowing of the nails, though the shade and involvement can vary. Discoloring may start at the distal edge (tip) and run all the way to the root of the nail bed.

What does a diabetic toenail look like?

Nail fungus is caused by various fungal organisms (fungi). The most common is a type called dermatophyte. Yeast, bacteria and molds also can cause nail infections. The discoloration from a bacterial infection tends to be green or black.

Can nail fungus be black?

If your nails are looking yellow or brownish, see a doctor — they can perform a nail biopsy and begin treating it. Brownish-greyish nails that don't have the texture of a fungal infection, however, can suggest a deficiency in B12. Consider taking a supplement, or speaking with your doctor if the problem persists.

What color is a bad toenail?

Healthy nails should look pink on the nail bed and white when grown off the nail bed. Any other color could be a sign of a deficiency or disease. For instance, clear, pale nails can be a sign of anemia or poor nutrition. White nails, also known as Terry's nails, are a sign of kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes.