Do black toes heal?

“In mild cases, no treatment is needed at all, and the black nail will simply grow out,” Dr. Lepow explains. It will take about six to nine months to grow out completely, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. By Amy Marturana Winderl, C.P.T.

How long does it take for black toes to heal?

Black Toenail: Common Causes

The bruise usually starts out red, then becomes purple, dark brown, and finally black when blood beneath the nail pools and clots. Expect your black toenail to grow out in about 6 to 9 months or longer.

Does black toe go away?

If a black toenail is caused by an injury, the resulting spot from broken blood vessels will disappear once your nail grows out. Black toenail caused by trauma from an injury usually resolves on its own without treatment.

Can you cure black toenails?

Your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal medicines such as terbinafine or fluconazole to treat black toenails.

Can a black toe nail be saved?

In most cases, you don't need to do anything for a black toenail. Treatment for black toenails caused by running simply depends on how much pain they're causing you. “In mild cases, no treatment is needed at all, and the black nail will simply grow out,” Dr. Lepow explains.

Runners Toe: How to prevent and treat black toenails

Why is my toenail permanently black?

Signs of a toenail fungal infection

Nails can be brown, black, white, or yellow. Usually a small area changes color at first and it slowly spreads. Thickened toenails.

What happens if my toe turns 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 cure black and blue toes?

You can safely treat this at home with rest (no exercise), ice (10-20 minutes at a time), compression (via tape or a wrap), and elevation (putting your feet up. Over-the-counter pain medications can also be used if the pain is really bothering you.

How do you get rid of toe discoloration?

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.

Why is my toe turning black after injury?

A subungual hematoma is usually caused by trauma from a heavy object or from frequent rubbing or friction against a shoe. It occurs when the blood vessels break open under the nail, causing blood to pool. Your toenail may look like a black, blue or purple bruise.

Will dried blood under nail go away?

Unless the area of bleeding is very small, an affected nail will usually fall off on its own after several weeks because the pooled blood has separated it from its bed.

Can you put nail polish on a black toenail?

It may be tempting to cover that black toenail up with some nail polish, but in reality, it is one of the worst things you can do to the nail.

How do I know if my toe injury is serious?

How long does it take for a black and blue toe nail to heal?

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.

What to do when you hit your toe and it turns purple?

Is a black toenail serious?

Black toenails can be caused by underlying medical conditions. Apparently unrelated conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and anemia, can also cause discolored toenails. So don't ignore any discolored toenail that doesn't disappear on its own, and relatively promptly.

Does a black toenail mean it will fall off?

When injured, the toenail will often appear black or purple as blood collects under the nail, which is called subungual hematoma. The blood puts pressure on the nail, which may fall off after several weeks.

Do toenails turn black before they fall off?

Stubbing your toe or dropping an item on your foot can damage your toenail. Depending on the severity of the injury, your toenail might turn black and fall off. Toenail regrowth tends to be slower after an injury or trauma, taking anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

Are toenail bruises permanent?

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 toenail trauma?

Does toenail fungus ever go away?

Fungal nail infections typically don't go away on their own, and the best treatment is usually prescription antifungal pills taken by mouth. In severe cases, a healthcare professional might remove the nail completely. It can take several months to a year for the infection to go away.

What happens if you leave blood under your toenail?

The nail may feel sore or tender to the touch. As the blood pools under the nail the pressure from the blood can cause severe pain. The pressure caused by blood underneath the nail may result in the affected nail lifting off the finger or toe.

When should I worry about a bruised toenail?

It is especially important to see a doctor for the following: You had blunt trauma to the toenail, such as a heavy object dropped on the toe, which may also include a broken toe bone that needs treatment or a cut that needs stitches. There is severe swelling, pain, or redness of the toe.

What happens if you don't release blood under nail?

Without drainage, you may experience intense pain or other symptoms such as feeling pressure on the nail. The hematoma may change colors from red to purple to dark brown to black. The pressure of the blood underneath the nail's surface may also cause the nail to fall off partially or completely.