Why are my big toenails always bruised?
The most common culprit for black toenails is repetitive trauma, which can result from running or from wearing any type of ill-fitting footwear. If a black nail crops up shortly after a workout or a day spent in too-tight or too-loose shoes, this is likely the cause.
What does a purple big toenail mean?
If you’ve recently dropped something on your foot or stubbed your toe on something, your nail discoloration could be a symptom of a subungual hematoma. This injury can also result from wearing shoes that are too tight. Subungual hematomas can make your nail appear red or purple.
What happens to a bruised big toenail?
With a subungual hematoma, the pain typically goes away in a few days. The nail itself will take longer to recover. The discolored nail will eventually grow out — or in some cases, it may fall off or need to be removed — and be replaced by a new, healthy one.
How do you treat a bruise under a big toenail?
A small subungual hematoma may not need medical treatment. Ice and elevate the area to reduce swelling, and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like aspirin, Advil, or Motrin for minor pain. But the pressure generated by pooled blood under the nail can be extremely painful.
Do bruised toenails ever go away?
A minor subungual hematoma usually heals over time without treatment. 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.
How do I know if my toenail is fungus or bruised?
If the spot is black and shiny, it is likely a bruise and less likely toenail fungus, especially if you recall when or why that bruising might have occurred (example, if you stubbed your toe). If the discoloration is yellow, gray, or greenish in tint, it is more likely a toenail fungus infection.
What causes a toenail to turn purple?
Black or purple toenails If one or more of your nails appears blackened or purplish in color, this was probably due to trauma or some other type of micro-injury causing bleeding under your nail. Stubbing your toe, running long distances, wearing tight shoes, or even shoes that are too big can cause these nail changes.
Why do my toenails look bruised?
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.
What does bruised toenail look like?
What does it look like? Bruised toenails tend to be darker in color than fungal toenails. While fungal infections tend to be yellow to medium brown, bruised toenails tend to be red or purplish before becoming dark brown, or sometimes even black.