What To Do With A Black Toenail

By Austin Tillyard


Experiencing a black toenail can be a big inconvenience because it can prevent a person from walking properly. It can happen to any person but athletes are the ones who are more susceptible to it. Although it is definitely not fatal, it can be if it is not treated. If it is unattended, the toe might need to be amputated.

This discoloration in the nail can be a blood clot that got stuck underneath or it could even be an infection due to a wound or a fungus. The most common cause would of course be too much pressure on the toe. People who wear shoes that are too tight are susceptible to this because tight foot wear can cause bad blood circulation and can thus slow down the flow of blood.

Athletes are very prone to blood clotting because of the excess pressure that they put on their feet. When their toes brush hard against their sneakers when they make fast leg movements, it sometimes presses too hard and cause circulation problems. Of course another cause would be when something heavy would fall down on the toe of a person. This not only causes a clot but also a bruise and a wound.

Another common cause of a tainted toenail would actually be the growth of fungi. Usually, fungus would thrive in the skin right under the nail. When this happens, the blood circulation is disrupted and would cause a lot of pain and even sometimes infections.

In order to cure this ailment, most people just leave it alone as the dark part will just grow and fall off. This is the ideal thing to do if the injury does not cause any pain. If it is swelling, then a cold compress may decrease the inflammation. Another treatment that could help is a foot bath with Epsom salts and warm water.

For those who have fungal growths, there are ways to treat it at home. It is best to use some anti fungal cream or ointment to treat it. Some types of mouthwash can also be used as herbal components are known to kill fungi. If that does not work, then go see a doctor.

Prevention is definitely better than cure so it is important to take note of what can cause a black toenail. Always wear comfortable footwear, do not let anything fall on the toe, and observe proper foot hygiene. Now if the problem still does occur, then one may use some of the home remedies stated above.




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