Shoes or socks that are too tight or don’t fit properly can turn your toenail black even if you don’t run or walk a great deal because they can cause an increase in blood flow to the area, so that the blood pools between the nail and its bed.
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What makes toenails darker?
Black Toenail: Common Causes
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.
How do I stop my toenails from getting dark?
Here are some tips to prevent discolored toenails:
- Wear shoes that fit properly to avoid injury.
- Keep your toenails trimmed short.
- Wear clean socks.
- Dry your feet well after swimming or showering.
- Avoid walking barefoot, especially in public places.
- Avoid putting on socks or shoes while your feet are damp.
Why do people’s toes turn black?
Restricted or blocked blood flow can kill cells and can cause tissue to die. This is called gangrene, which can cause your skin to dry or shrivel, and the flesh to turn colors — brown to purple to black — and eventually fall off.
How do you lighten dark toenails?
If your nail discoloration is caused by fungus, some home treatments might help. Ingredients like apple cider vinegar, vinegar, tea tree oil, and hydrogen peroxide are all anti-fungal and antibacterial ingredients that have been claimed to be an effective foot soak to treat discolored toenails.
How do you get rid of dark toenails naturally?
For mild forms of this condition, a vinegar soak might work well. The antifungal properties also make vinegar soaks a good idea for people who have toenail fungus. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes daily in a vinegar bath until the infection subsides. You can increase the length of time in the soak gradually.
Why are my toenails dark 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.
How do I get my toenails back to normal color?
One of the most common prescription antifungal medications is ciclopirox 8 percent solution, which is applied to the nails like nail polish. Other medications that can help cure yellow toenails include applying vitamin E, zinc, and a topical corticosteroid with Vitamin D-3.
Are dark toenails normal?
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 darken 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.
Why are my toes darker than the rest of my foot?
In fact, feet that are darker than the rest of your skin can be a side effect of varicose veins. When you have varicose veins (incompetent veins that aren’t functioning properly) blood pools in your legs. And that leads to swelling–both in your veins and possibly in your legs themselves.
Why does my toenail keep growing back black?
If you have a dark, thick toenail, it could be toenail fungus, which is usually caused by a type of fungus called dermatophytes. It affects the toenail and the area beneath the nail and causes color changes, thickening, and abnormally shaped nails.
What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?
Nail psoriasis sometimes causes too much keratin to grow under the nail. This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis. People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail. When this occurs in the toenails, the pressure of shoes pushing down on the nails might cause pain.
How do you get rid of stained toenails?
If your nails are stained after using dark colored nail polish, wipe away the nail polish using a nail polish remover. Then use a nail scrub brush to scrub off the stains from your nails. You can also soak a cotton pad in acetone to scrub your nails.
How do you use Vicks VapoRub for toenail fungus?
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 does Vicks VapoRub work on nail fungus?
Even before that, a study of some of the essential oils in Vicks VapoRub showed that they are active against five different species of fungus that infect nail tissue (Phytotherapy Research, April, 2003). Camphor, menthol, thymol and oil of eucalyptus are effective against these organisms.
How do you get rid of brown toenails fast?
Tea tree oil is a popular home remedy for many skin infections, including fungal infections. Dab a few drops of the oil onto your toenails twice a day, or mix a few drops of oil with some water and soak your entire foot. You can buy over-the-counter urea paste to dissolve the infected portion of the toenail.
What color should your toenails be?
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 I keep my toenails healthy as I age?
How to keep your toenails looking great as you get older
- Look for irregularities. Take a good look at your feet and see if you notice any changes.
- Stay warm and dry.
- Cut toenails properly.
- Keep elevated.
- Avoid nail polish.
- Use lemon.
- Treat your toenail fungus with mouthwash.
- Take a walk.
What should healthy nails look like?
Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits or grooves. They’re uniform in color and consistency and free of spots or discoloration. Sometimes fingernails develop harmless vertical ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Vertical ridges tend to become more prominent with age.
Why do elderly get thick toenails?
Both fingernails and toenails thicken as we get older. We only notice it with toenails because they’re usually not filed and buffed as often as fingernails. The growth rate of nails decreases when people get older. This results in thickening because nail cells pile up.