Common Reasons Why One May Get A Black Toenail

By Alannah Jevons


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.


Having a dark nail simply means that the blood in the area of the toe is not moving properly anymore. This could be because of too much pressure on the toe due to an outside factor or a growing fungus. Now the most common reason for this clotting is tight shoes because of the constriction of the blood in the foot.

Athletes or people who are into sports are the ones who experience this kind of ailment the most. This is because of the large amount of pressure they put on their toes. When they move swiftly, their toes are crushed against the walls of their shoes and thus prevent proper blood flow. It is even worse if they have tight foot wear because the constriction suffocates the feet.

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.



About the Author:



Share on Google Plus
    Blogger Comment
    Facebook Comment

See Also