July 17, 2023
Black toenails can be an unsightly but under-discussed topic for some individuals. The condition can stem from an injury, an underlying health issue, or ill-fitting shoes. A black toenail is likely a bruise under the nail, called a subungual hematoma.
Seeing a black toenail at first glance can be alarming and uncomfortable, especially for first-timers. Fortunately, the discolouration and potential pain associated with blackened toenails are generally not a cause for concern.
While the condition may not always be serious, understanding its possible causes, prevention methods, and treatment options is crucial for maintaining overall foot health and finding relief. Today, we'll focus on black toenails.
In this article, you'll learn more about the common causes, treatment options, and prevention tips for black toenails:
Causes of black toenails
Causes of black toenails typically fall under three categories: injury, footwear, or an underlying health issue like a fungal infection. Below we dive into the three most likely culprits in more depth.
Trauma or injury
Stubbing the toe, dropping something heavy on your foot, or repetitive pressure from running or soccer can lead to a black toenail. Repeated pressure or friction to the nail bed can damage the blood vessels under the nail, ultimately creating a black toenail. For instance, marathon runners often get black toenails after running long distances.
Ill-fitting footwear
Shoes that are too tight or do not provide adequate toe room can cause repeated pressure and friction on the toenail. Whether on the job or wearing the wrong shoes for your partaking activity, ill-fitting footwear can be the culprit for black toenails.
Fungal infection
Sometimes, a black toenail can result from a fungal infection that affects the nail bed.
Rare causes
If none of the above apply to you, you shouldn't necessarily rule out rarer causes. In this case, consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis.
Rare causes of black toenails include:
Malignant melanoma
Chronic ingrown nail
Other health problems
Treatment for a black toenail
Generally, black toenails aren't severe and are more of a sight for sore eyes. If you have a black toenail, you can do the following:
Observation and self-care: If the black toenail is painless and there are no signs of infection, you can let the nail heal independently. It will typically take several weeks for the discoloured nail to grow naturally. The discolouration could take 6-8 months to disappear as the nail grows and you trim away the culprit.
Rest and elevation: Resting and elevating the foot above heart level can help reduce swelling and promote healing.
Ice: Applying ice packs wrapped in a cloth to the affected area can help reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling.
Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can alleviate pain if necessary.
Protective padding: You can use cushioned bandages or moleskin padding to protect the affected toe to prevent further irritation.
Professional treatment: Sometimes, a foot specialist may need to drain the blood from under the nail to relieve pressure and facilitate healing.
Paint your nails: If aesthetics are a primary concern, you can cover the nail with nail polish to hide the visible signs of a black toenail. Just first make sure you don't have any exposed skin or abrasions, as this can then lead to infection.
Prevention tips for black toenails
Prevention for black toenails hones in on proper nail care and hygiene and investing in the proper footwear:
Invest in your footwear: Ensure that your shoes fit well and provide enough room for your toes to move freely. Avoid tight or narrow shoes that can cause pressure on the toenails. Investing in the proper footwear also means having specific footwear for each purpose - for instance, at work, casually, or while playing a sport.
Protect your feet: If you engage in activities that pose a higher risk of a toe injury, such as sports or heavy lifting, consider wearing protective footwear or toe guards.
Trim your toenails: Trim your toenails straight and avoid cutting them too short to prevent trauma or ingrown nails. For more tips on how to cut your toenails, read our nail trimming guide. Further, use toenail clippers for your toenails, not fingernail clippers.
Maintain good foot hygiene and habits: Keep your feet clean and dry to minimize the risk of fungal infections affecting the nails.
Regular inspections: Regularly examine your feet and nails for any signs of damage or discolouration. Promptly address any issues to prevent further complications.
If the black toenail is accompanied by severe pain, signs of infection (such as redness, swelling, or discharge), or if it doesn't improve within a few weeks, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional. They can assess the condition, provide appropriate treatment, and ensure no underlying issues require further attention.
June 19, 2023
Toenails serve a critical role in the health of our feet. They are are sensory organs that act like a shield, providing a critical layer of protection. The various parts of the toenail comprise toenail anatomy. These parts work together to protect the underlying tissues of the toe and aid in walking and other activities.
Toenails may look like a singular unit, they're actually pretty complex. In this blog post, we'll dive into the structure and functions of the different parts of our toenail anatomy, providing a deeper understanding of this often-overlooked aspect of foot health.
Nail plate
The nail plate is the hard part of the nail and is comprised of a tough protective protein called alpha-keratin. Keratin adds strength and durability to the nail. The nail plate grows out from the nail matrix. It is translucent, and its colour can vary from white to yellowish-brown, depending on the thickness and the presence of underlying tissues. The end of the nail plate is part of the nail you trim away when clipping your toenails.
Nail bed
The nail bed is the skin under the nail. It nourishes and supports the nail. The nail bed is composed of blood vessels, nerves, and cells called melanocytes, all of which combine to produce the pigment that gives the nail its colour. When the nail bed is damaged, you may notice your toenail appears to change colour. For instance, your nail bed may produce a purple/darkish colour known as a black toenail, which occurs when the nail bed is damaged and pools blood.
Nail matrix
Did you know it takes roughly 18 months for a toenail to grow its entire length? This is thanks to the nail matrix, which helps dictate toenail growth. The nail matrix is the part of the nail bed that produces new nail cells. It is at the base of the nail plate, just beneath the cuticle. The nail matrix contains specialized cells called keratinocytes, which produce the protein that forms the nail plate.
Lunula
The lunula is the crescent-shaped white area at the base of the nail plate. It's the actively-growing component of the nail. The lunula is sometimes called the "half-moon" of the nail due to its curvature and half-ringed shape.
Cuticle
The cuticle is the thin skin layer covering the nail plate's base. It protects new nails from bacteria when they grow from the root, and also helps to keep the nail plate hydrated.
Nail folds
The nail folds are the skin folds surrounding the sides and base of the nail plate. They help to anchor the nail plate in place and provide support and protection to the surrounding tissues. Nail folds direct the nail growth in the correct direction and shape. When the nail folds are damaged, you may experience horizontal grooves across the nail, known as Beau's lines.
Nail groove
The nail groove separates the nail plate and the nail fold. It helps to direct water and debris away from the nail bed.
February 6, 2023
Age is just a number, but age starts to catch up with us at a certain point. As much as we want aging to slow, getting older comes with its fair share of aches and pains.
Few people age the same; it is a complex process. Environment, genetics, exercise, and many other factors mould who we become as we enter our elderly years. This also applies our feet. As we age, our feet become more susceptible to various conditions such as arthritis, plantar fasciitis, bunions, foot injuries and chronic pain.
Our latest blog is all about common foot conditions in the elderly and how to treat them.
What happens to our feet as we age?
Did you know that when you turn 70, you'll be 25,550 days old? That helps put the body's remarkable ability to withstand constant wear and tear into perspective.
Beyond just a number, there are also physiological changes that occur as we age. Your feet may get bigger. Your feet may widen. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments also wear down, putting you at greater risk of certain foot conditions.
You may notice you experience foot pain and other problems more often. Any number of the following may happen:
Weakness
Frailty
Exhaustion
Gait alteration
Balance difficulties
Increased swaying while walking
Decreased walking
Walking speed
As we age, it's essential to check how you feel regularly. A bonus would be to have your feet checked regularly. Our team of expert foot specialists can help you manage acute and chronic conditions that affect the toes, feet, and ankles.
Most common foot conditions in the elderly
Foot conditions amongst the elderly may include bone injuries, toenail damage, foot deformities, and muscle and tendon damage. It's important to note that most of these conditions are not specific to the elderly, but age contributes to increased risk.
Below we break down the following common foot conditions in the elderly and how to treat them:
Bunions
Osteoarthritis
Fat Pad Atrophy
Thickened or Discoloured Toenails
Gout
Plantar Fasciitis
Stress Fractures
1. Bunions
What are bunions?
A bunion is a deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint ("MTP" joint for short). The first MTP is the joint of the big toe. (Essentially, the big toe's "knuckle.) Damage to this joint can cause bone misalignment over time. Eventually, the bone shifts and protrudes at the base of the big toe. Bunions affect approximately one quarter to one third of adults, and women experience the foot condition more often than men.
As we age, bunions worsen. Although there is no "cure" for a progressive foot deformity, you can lessen the effects and pain associated with bunions through several habitual changes.
How can I treat bunions?
You can choose either invasive treatment or non-invasive bunion treatment. In most cases, you can manage bunions with non-invasive treatments, though surgery is the only way to remove the bump altogether.
Footwear modification: Avoid tight shoes that squeeze the toes and ditch your high heels. You may also find that orthopedic shoes that stretch or come in wide widths effectively accommodate your bunion in your footwear. Shoe stretching is also an effective method for changing the structure of your current footwear.
Anti-inflammatories: Specific medication like NSAIDs or ibuprofen reduces joint inflammation and relieves pain.
Splints/aligners: Medical-grade bunion splints and bunion aligners help stabilize the joint. You can choose from medical-grade plastics or a toe sleeve based on your preferred rigidity.
Taping: A specialist tapes the joint to keep the big toe in place, prevent further misalignment, and manage pain and inflammation.
Supportive insoles or custom orthotics: Supporting your arches and correcting poor biomechanics can reduce pressure and strain on the first MTP joint.
Bunion exercises: Basic exercises to strengthen foot muscles can better support and stabilize the joint, thus decreasing pain over time.
The treatments you see above are all available at Feet First Clinic.
2. Osteoarthritis
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is not only the most common variant of arthritis; it is also one of the most common foot conditions in the elderly. Osteoarthritis is the "wear-and-tear" arthritis that causes degeneration of the cartilage in our joints. Reduced cartilage in our joints causes pain and can lead to other foot conditions like bone spurs. Your toes are most susceptible to osteoarthritis.
Age plays a significant role in developing osteoarthritis. Wear and tear of our joints accumulate over time. Also, post-menopausal women risk developing osteoarthritis through osteoporosis (low bone density).
How can I treat osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition, meaning what's done cannot reverse. The cartilage in your joints doesn't re-grow, so treatment aims to slow the effects of osteoarthritis and reduce pain. Effective treatment includes a combination of the following:
Active rehabilitation: Physiotherapy, massage, and exercise all help reduce the effects of osteoarthritis by promoting solid muscles. Stronger and more balanced muscles and feet reduce the strain on affected areas where you may have osteoarthritis.
Medication: Anti-inflammatories can help control inflammation.
Proper footwear: Specialized shoes can accommodate deformities of osteoarthritis (like bunions or hallux rigidus). The right shoes or boots can support your feet, provide balance, and offer cushion.
Custom orthotics: Orthotics can be customized to add or reduce your reliance on certain parts of your feet. Controlling the impact on affected joints can help prevent further joint damage by distributing the impact and weight elsewhere.
Limit awkward movements: If you find your joints are sore after a particular activity, consider reducing, modifying, or stopping the activity. For instance, if lunges hurt your foot, consider finding a replacement exercise.
Surgery: If the joint is damaged extensively, a doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery and removing part of a bony outgrowth can be effective if the sheer volume of bone buildup is the culprit.
If you experience osteoarthritis and are looking for orthotics, a gait analysis, or proper footwear, visit Feet First Clinic for solutions.
3. Fat pad atrophy
What is fat pad atrophy?
The heel fat pad is a cushion to absorb shock and distribute plantar force on impact. As we age, the heel fat pad gets atrophies and gets thinner. This can put you at a greater risk of heel injuries and other foot conditions. The increased pressure on the heel can cause you to overcompensate with other parts of your body, and weight distribution becomes unevenly distributed.
How can I treat fat pad atrophy?
You should reduce the pressure on your heel if you suffer from fat pad atrophy. Custom orthotics are effective as the personalized insoles provide padding and support and help distribute weight across the complex network of foot muscles. Be sure to also wear shoes with lots of padding and cushioning, like the ASICS Gel-Nimbus.
4. Thickened or Discoloured Toenails
What are thick or discoloured toenails?
Thick toenails and discoloured toenails are a byproduct of aging and are one of the most common foot conditions in the elderly.
As we get older, toenail growth declines. As such, nail cells begin to accumulate at a faster rate than nail growth. The accumulation of onychocytes (nail cells) causes thickened toenails. Alternatively, reduced circulation or acute trauma can cause thickened toenails.
Discoloured toenails, on the other hand, indicate damage to the nail or nail bed. Acute trauma to the nail causes discolouration, but so does reduced circulation. At an older age, we're at a greater risk of diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. Both diabetes and peripheral vascular disease cause reduced circulation in our feet and discoloured toenails.
How can I treat thick or discoloured toenails?
Toenail treatment for thickening and discolouration varies. To properly diagnose your feet and nails, book an appointment with a specialist at Feet First Clinic. Our nail care services involve proper trimming and filing of the toenails, addressing any pain or discomfort, and educating patients on proper hygiene and care.
For more information, visit our nail care and treatment page.
5. Gout
What is gout?
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis targeting the foot's joints. You may experience intermittent bouts of severe pain, including inflammation and hypersensitivity. During these episodes, any kind of activity becomes challenging, leaving you less mobile.
The prevalence of gout increases in older people. Elderly people are susceptible to gout for a few reasons: Renal function declines with age, there can be dietary changes, you may experience sudden weight gain, and certain medications for age-related conditions have indirect side effects that may lead to gout (i.e.: water pills, blood pressure medication).
How can I treat gout?
Before any treatment, the first step is to see a family doctor and a rheumatologist. Once diagnosed, you may be prescribed the following treatments, all of which aim to prevent future attacks, reduce pain, and improve quality of life:
Change your diet: Ditch food containing excessive purines. Avoid foods like red meat, certain types of seafood like sardines and mussels, alcohol, high fructose beverages, and yeast. Diet also impacts your weight. Maintaining a healthy and consistent diet can help reduce sudden weight gain and keep inflammation at bay.
NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce joint inflammation. Alternatively, corticosteroids are an option if one doesn't react to NSAIDs.
Stay or become active: Light-strengthening exercises, relaxing physical activity, and physiotherapy can improve quality of life and mobility in people with gout. Keeping your muscles strong also makes them less susceptible to inflammation build-up, which can trigger gout attacks.
Supportive footwear: Proper footwear can help you deal with any pain associated with gout as it reduces the impact on the joints.
6. Plantar fasciitis
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition of the heel. The band of tissue on the underside of the foot gets inflamed and causes pain. Often, plantar fasciitis develops gradually over time. Changes in our body as we age can make this condition more common in the elderly.
How can I treat plantar fasciitis?
With proper care and treatment, most cases of plantar fasciitis heal with time. A foot specialist can guide you through the healing process and provide options for preventing it from recurring in the future.
There are several treatment methods available for plantar fasciitis.
Rest: Take a break, and let your heel recover by staying off your feet.
Supportive footwear: Wearing supportive footwear with strong arch support and a good heel counter is essential for managing and even preventing plantar fasciitis. Stability shoes are particularly helpful. Check out this article for our top recommended shoes for plantar fasciitis.
Rolling: Gently massage your heel using a tennis ball or frozen water bottle under the foot. Rolling helps massage and relieve the plantar fascia and encourages faster recovery.
Add stretching and strengthening exercises to your routine.
Shockwave therapy: Shockwave therapy delivers sound wave pulses to the injured fascia. This triggers your body's the healing process, making for a natural recovery. Shockwave therapy is extremely effective for cases of plantar fasciitis persisting more than 6 months.
Taping: Taping the heel engages other muscles and tendons of the foot, reducing the load on the plantar fascia.
Wear a splint: A splint helps keep your foot stable while you sleep.
Supportive Insoles or Custom Orthotics: A good supportive insole, like Superfeet Green, is tried, tested and true for helping with plantar fasciitis. If that doesn't work, or if there are biomechanical factors contributing to your plantar fasciitis, you can look into custom orthotics.
7. Stress fractures
What are stress fractures?
Stress fractures are micro-breaks of bones are another common foot condition in the elderly. When we age, bone growth slows, losing more bone than we generate. Our bone density also reduces. If your bone density drops too much, you develop osteoporosis. Weaker bones put the elderly at greater risk of stress fractures, whether acute, like when you fall or by too much repetition, like walking.
How can I treat a stress fracture?
The RICE method is critical to treating a stress fracture. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Untreated stress fractures can lead to bone shift, permanently altering the foot's biomechanics.
January 16, 2023
Fact: Your toenails can give you clues about your overall health. That's right, the state of your nails, including toenails, can indicate an underlying health condition. Conversely, healthy nails can be a sign of a healthy lifestyle.
The state of our toenails can differ in a lot of ways. Toenails can splinter, thicken, thin, peel, dry out, break, and pit. Toenail pitting is the focus of this article.
Below, you'll learn about toenail anatomy, the basics of pitting, signs, treatment methods, and preventative measures to keep your nails in good shape.
Toenail anatomy
Before we delve into the details of toenails and pitting, we must understand their anatomy and the part it plays for our feet.
Toenails are the plate-like covers on our toes. Alpha-keratin, a type of protein, comprises toenails. Alpha-keratin is the same protein building block for hair and the outermost layer of our skin (the epidermis). Generally, the toenail is about 0.5 mm thick and slightly curved.
The toenail consists of several distinct components. The toenail includes the nail plate, the cuticle, and the nail folds surrounding the nail's perimeter. The part referred to as the toenail colloquially is the "nail plate."
What's toenail pitting?
Pitting, by definition, is an indentation. Toenail pitting follows the same logic. Pitting of the nail occurs when tiny dents or "pits" form in the nail plate. Toenail pitting is a type of nail abnormality.
Toenail indents can be shallow and only recognizable by touch. Deep toenail pits may be visible due to their concave nature. Within the grooves, some parts of the pitting may be deeper than others, just as there are deeper and shallow parts of a pit.
Nail pitting is generally more common for fingernails, but toenails are also affected.
What causes toenail pitting?
There are several causes for toenail pitting. Toenail pitting reasons range from external trauma to an underlying medical condition. Learn about the various causes of toenail pitting below.
Nail psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause toenail pitting. Those with nail psoriasis produce too many skin cells, causing nail irregularities. According to Healthline.com, approximately 80% of those with psoriatic arthritis experience nail irregularities or changes.
You may be able to recognize nail psoriasis because of two related symptoms: discolouration and nail bed separation. There are a few groups more likely to develop nail psoriasis. At-risk factors include:
People who are over 40 (though psoriasis may occur at any age)
Males
Genetics
Psoriatic arthritis
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, psoriasis can cause toenail pits "remarkably even in size and depth. Their distribution may be haphazard or sometimes arranged in parallel transverse or short longitudinal lines."
Though psoriasis is not curable, you can mask the effects of toenail pitting. You can buff or apply nail polish to hide the indents and improve the aesthetic.
Nail eczema
Eczema is a condition that causes itchy and red skin. The disease can cause nail thickening or pitting when eczema targets the feet.
Habit-tic deformity
Habit-tic deformity on the fingernail.
The habit-tic deformity is a nail condition similar to toenail pitting with several differences. When you constantly pick at your nails, external trauma can create pits in your nail. The habit-tic deformity is most common on the fingernails, specifically the thumbs, but it can also happen on your toenails. For instance, if you sit cross-legged or have your feet at arm's reach, you may develop a habit of picking at your toenails.
The defining features of habit-tic deformity are horizontal ridges across the nail and a slight depression in the middle of the nail plate. The habit-tic deformity is not severe and typically heals if left alone. The condition is known as "washboard nails" because of the horizontal nail ridges.
Reiter's syndrome/reactive arthritis
Those with reactive arthritis may experience toenail pitting. An infection or bacterial infection elsewhere in the body can cause reactive arthritis, also known as Reiter's syndrome. People with a specific type of gene are more likely to develop the condition, as it's believed to be genetic.
How do you fix nail pitting?
Toenail pitting fixes vary. In some cases, like psoriasis, there is no cure. Cosmetic procedures are an option to mask the effects. Removing external trauma can help reverse toenail pitting in cases like a habit-tic deformity.
Additional treatment options include medication applied to the nail itself. Options include steroids, salicylic acid, calcipotriol, cyanoacrylate adhesive (for the habit-tic deformity) and tazarotene.
Is nail pitting serious?
In most cases, nail pitting as a symptom isn't severe. Nail pitting is more often a cosmetic issue than a medical issue. However, the underlying conditions that cause toenail pitting can vary in severity.
October 20, 2022
Toenails aren't always something we pay attention to. They're hidden in our shoes all day long, and when we relax, we can often forget about our feet. But when we notice curled toenails or pincer nails, it's a whole new ball game.
When our toenails curl upward or downward, it can cause a lot of insecurity and self-consciousness. It can be a perplexing condition that occurs alongside other worrisome traits, and they just aren't what healthy toenails should look like.
The slight glimmer of good news is that curled nails don't just occur for no reason. You, your foot care specialist and your family doctor will be able to determine the cause by zeroing in on the additional symptoms. From that point, you can follow a treatment plan to address your curled toenails and your condition.
Here are some common reasons for curled toenails:
Fungal infections
Autoimmune disease
Medications
Diabetic toenail
Genetics
The Connection Between Curled Toenails and Ingrown Toenails
Curled toenails are almost always ingrown, and both conditions arise from the same causes. The growth pattern of an ingrown toenail causes it to curve over time, often curling inward along the sides of the toe (usually the big toe). Eventually, the curled toenail pierces the skin and starts to grow into the skin, causing tenderness, redness, and swelling.
Fungal Infections
Curved toenails can result from fungal infections. Onychomycosis is usually associated with a curling shape in the nails. Other symptoms include dry toenails, a greenish-yellow tint in the nails, thickening and total separation from the nail bed.
Fungal infections resulting in curled toenails usually arise in older people suffering from peripheral vascular disease and diabetes. Having a chronic immunological illness can also be a risk factor.
It's difficult to treat toenail fungus at home, so you should help from a specialist. Patients may take oral prescription anti-fungal pills for 12 weeks. A total nail avulsion performed by a foot specialist may be required in severe cases.
Autoimmune Disease
As we've mentioned, autoimmune conditions can degrade once healthy toenails in addition to curling them.
One example is nail psoriasis, which can completely alter your toenails' structure, colour and texture. Your nails can turn yellow or brown, and tiny red spots may even form. The toenail may also hurt, and grooves and ridges appear. The pain stems from debris formation that alters the direction the nail grows in.
Medications like corticosteroids (injections or potent oral medicines) and tazarotene (for tackling the nail shape) can be particularly useful in treating nail psoriasis.
Medications
The culprit behind your strangely shaped toenails could be drug-induced nail disease. This phenomenon usually causes pain and discomfort in addition to a drastic change in the nail's shape and colour, and nails become more brittle.
Countless drugs can cause curled toenails. Chemotherapy drugs, lithium and antibiotics are just a handful of examples.
Diabetic Toenails
A curved toenail may result from diabetes-related onychogryphosis, or "ram horn," when nails take on a severely curled and thickened appearance. There are also several other variations of diabetic curled toenails.
People with diabetes frequently neglect to cut their toenails because of the shame associated with the complications of their disease, but diabetic nail care should be a top concern.
Diabetic toenails can ultimately lead to irreversible damage like foot ulcerations, skin breakdown and severe infections (even gangrene).
Genetics
Families can pass down certain characteristics that contribute to curled toenails. Factors such as the shape of the nail, the amount of skin surrounding the nail, and even the shape of your toes can be hereditary, making you genetically prone to toenail growth issues. So if you're struggling to understand why you have this recurring problem, it may be a good idea to compare symptoms with your close family.
Remember, you can combat toenail conditions by taking the proper precautions, even when genetics are at play. Be sure to wear properly fitted footwear, take care of your nails, and prevent damage at all costs.
How to Fix Curved Toenails
It's not about fixing the curled toenails; it's about management. Frequently, curled toenails occur alongside another condition, so you may not be able to get rid of them entirely.
Managing your curled toenails involves monitoring them around the clock and the proper nail care. You can figure out a system to help you cope and keep your nails as healthy as possible.
Nail and Foot Care
If you aren't sure how to properly cut curled toenails, don't try to do it yourself. Instead, seek help from a trusted chiropodist or partake in medical pedicures. If you do it yourself without the right knowledge, you are putting yourself at risk of developing an ingrown toenail.
Generally, it's crucial to keep your nails short and clean regularly. You should also use a file to keep your toenail edges smooth and use moisturizers for the cuticles.
Since pincer nails are usually ingrown, you'll want to take extra care and prevent painful, recurring ingrown nails. Wear shoes that fit correctly and leave ample space in the toe box. While everybody should adhere to these guidelines, those struggling with curled toenails must be extra vigilant.
OnyFix
OnyFix is a new, revolutionary, and pain-free way to treat ingrown and curled toenails. Performed by a chiropodist, the non-invasive procedure corrects the natural growth pattern of your toenails, so the experience isn't just a quick fix.
Chiropodists correct the nail growth path by using a composite material in the shape of a thin band. After applying it to the top of the nail, it ensures the rest of the nail grows in a straight direction. With OnyFix, you can enjoy a future without nail issues and relatively instant pain relief (usually noticeable soon after treatment).
October 13, 2022
Under normal circumstances, our toenails are a glassy, somewhat opaque colour. The protective proteins of our toenails, called alpha-keratin, create this consistency. Together with the skin below it, healthy toenails should be pink. Sometimes, however, our toenails change colour. But why?
You may experience toenail discolouration from damage to the toenail itself or from damage to the skin below the nail bed. In both instances, a black spot may appear. It can be a black spot below the toenail, or your toenail itself may change colour.
This article teaches more about black spots under toenails, different kinds of toenail discolouration, and treatments. First, let's explore the nail condition of a black toenail.
What's a black toenail?
Black toenails are a type of nail condition characterized by damage to the skin below the nail. In most cases, a black toenail is a subungual hematoma, especially if you see a black spot. The black area you see is a bruise (a blood vessel breakage causing bleeding near the skin surface.)
However, your toenail may turn black for other reasons. We break down the causes below.
Should I be worried about a black toenail?
Black toenails have several causes, some more common than others.
Common causes
A subungual hematoma is the most common cause of a black spot under your toenail. Trauma, whether acute or chronic, causes a black spot under your toenail. Instances like running with ill-fitting footwear, stubbing a toe, or dropping an item on your toe are common culprits. Due to its length and weight-bearing role, your big toe is the most common toenail for a subungual hematoma. Your toenail may fall off entirely, or you may experience a small black spot. If the latter, you can trim off the black area as your nail grows out.
You may associate a fungal infection with discolouration of the toenail. Although usually a yellow-green, your toenail may also turn black.
In rare cases, ingrown toenails can be the culprit for a black toenail. An ingrown toenail causing a black toenail is usually related to a complication of a previous toenail treatment.
Rare and more severe causes
Malignant melanoma can cause a black toenail: Cancer forms in the cells of our skin that give our skin colour, which causes a black spot.
A B12 deficiency: B12 keeps your nails strong and healthy. A lack of B12 may result in a blackish tint.
Kidney problems
Liver disease
Linear melanonychia can cause black and brown lines that run either with your toenail or horizontally across your toenail.
If you have doubts about the black spot under your toenail, book an appointment with a chiropodist for the next steps and a diagnosis.
What kind of discolourations of a toenail are there?
In addition to black toenails, you may experience other discolouration. Click here to learn about the various shades and causes of discoloured toenails.
How can I treat a discoloured (including a black) toenail?
If you can connect the cause of a black toenail to a common cause—for instance, a stubbed toe—then at-home treatments are sufficient. However, if you haven't had any trauma or damage to your nail, consult a medical professional for treatment options. Here are some ways you can treat a discoloured toenail:
Let it grow out
If your toenail isn't damaged or at risk of falling off, the most effective action is to let the toenail grow out. Expect to wait between 6-9 months to allow your toenail to grow out thoroughly and to be able to trim the black area away.
Cover the toenail
If your toenail dies and falls off, you should cover any exposed parts of the nail bed for 7-10 days. Coat the area with a non-stick bandage and wait for the skin underneath to harden. Once the skin hardens, you can leave the nail and allow it to grow back or use an artificial nail to improve aesthetics.
Visit a chiropodist or foot doctor
If you have damage to your toenail from trauma and need guidance and treatment, visit a chiropodist. Our team of dedicated licensed chiropodists is committed to providing quality care and services for all your foot and ankle needs. They can diagnose, treat and help manage various foot conditions, from callus removal to ingrown toenails to bunions.
Over-the-counter creams and ointments
Ointments and creams are usually effective and can help treat fungal infections. You can also use a prescription antifungal treatment for severe cases of toenail infections.
Buy a new pair of shoes
If you have poorly-fitting shoes causing stress to your toenail, invest in proper footwear for your feet.
