Beating Bruised, Black Toenails

This Friday, August 29, at 7:30pm in the Town Square, the Fred Astaire Dance Studios presents Dancing Under the Stars. This will be a romantic night, but it will require much time spent on your feet. If you suffer from a black toenail, it may be too painful for you to do much dancing. Don’t be a wall flower! Preventing this condition is the best way to keep your feet healthy so you can dance the night away.

A black toenail, or subungual hematoma, occurs when blood pools under the nail, giving it a black or purplish appearance. The blood creates a lot of pressure, thus leading to pain. The most common reason for this condition to happen is trauma to the toenail. People who are very active with running, walk barefoot a lot, or wear shoes that don’t fit properly, are at a higher risk of developing subungual hematoma. It can also be the result of a nail fungus. If you notice discoloration, pain, a foul odor, or discharge, a fungal infection might be behind your black toenail and you should seek medical help.

While active people are at a higher risk of injuring their nails, this condition can happen to anyone. To avoid developing the problem, you should always wear shoes that fit your feet properly and allow your toes some breathing room. In fact, you should always wear shoes period, because they will offer more protection than going barefoot will. When grooming your nails, make sure you cut them straight across instead of in a curved fashion. Also, keep your feet clean and dry at all times by wearing socks that wick away moisture. These socks will also keep your feet from sliding around in your shoes and prevent your toes from bumping into the toe box.

For more information on preventing a black toenail, call Dr. Marco Vargas and Dr. Joyce Lee at (888) 784-5335 to schedule an appointment at Foot & Ankle Associates in Sugar Land, TX, or one of our other convenient locations.
Photo Credit: Geralt via Pixabay.com