Black Spot Under The Toenail[Causes, Home Remedies & Best Treatment]

Black Spot Under The Toenail Causes:

There are four common causes that I have seen of a black spot under the big toenail. Here they are listened in order from most common to least common:

1) Jogger’s Toe (Subungual Hematoma).

Jogger’s toe is essentially just an “overuse toe.”

• The trick with this one is it sneaks up on people without any pain!
• Be aware that you can still have bleeding underneath your toenail, and it doesn’t have to be extremely painful.
• For example, I just saw a woman who had a scary black toenail without any cause.
• But the more I talked to her. I realized she bought new shoes and started Zumba classes.
• She was exercising more, had small shoes, and was not suffering from any pain!

Diagnosis:

• Sometimes no pain.
• Small shoes.
• New shoes.
• New exercise regimen.
• Heavy running or work.
• Traumatic injury.
• Dropping something on your foot.
• It will grow out over time.
• It will not get bigger over time.

2) Subungual Melamona (Black Streak or Mole).

Subungual melanoma is a toenail cancer that is a result of a mole!

• These can appear underneath your toenail or around the toenail.
• If the black streak extends into the skin, there may be cause for concern.
• If the line extends into the skin, this is called a Hutchinson’s sign.
• Subungual melanomas are sporadic, and the only way to know for sure is to get a biopsy.
• In our experience, it is scarce to develop toenail cancer, but it is possible.
• These can be dangerous, so if they are getting bigger or growing into the skin- see a podiatrist or foot doctor immediately!

Diagnosis

• No Pain or can be excruciating.
• It is getting bigger.
• There is bleeding.
• It can extend into the skin.
• There is no trauma or rubbing associated with it.
• It has been there a long time, or it can develop very quickly.
• No cause for its appearance.
• It may be growing into the tissue.
• See our “Is it dangerous guide?“

3) Pseudomonas Bacterial Infection.

A pseudomonas bacteria infection is different than toenail fungus- this is a bacterial infection.

• A bacterial infection means it comes quick and strong, then gets cured for good once you see a podiatrist.
• A pseudomonas bacterial infection goes against toenail fungus, which is very slow and resistant.
• Pseudomonas is a bacteria that loves oxygenated moist environments like wet mud and pond water.
• If you have been around any of these recently and you start getting greenish-black toenails, it may be this!
• You should see your podiatrist or foot doctor for some antibiotics!
• Its sweet-smelling grape-like odor can also confirm it.

Diagnosis:

• No Pain.
• Greenish-black.
• Appears quickly.
• Sweet, grape-like odor.
• History of swimming in pools or ponds.

4) Poor-fitting shoes:

• Poor-fitting (tight or loose shoes) is probably the most common cause of bleeding or black spot underneath the toenails that we see.
• It is not just that the shoes are too small or too tight, but your foot could be rubbing against the sides or the front of the shoe.
• It is common to see someone have too loose or poorly fitting shoes, and their foot slides against the side or front.
• We very commonly see people with very wide shoes. Their foot then twists out against the side of the shoe, and the fifth toe is rubbing and developing a baby toe black toenail.
• It is also widespread to see the big toenail rub against the front of the shoe if the big toe is the longest.
• If the second toe is the longest, it is also prevalent to see the second develop a black toenail.
• In some people, a hammertoe or bunion can develop, and this could cause the inside of the big toe to rub against the second toe.
• We have developed a podiatrist recommended shoe guide that may help.

Diagnosis:

• The shoe is either too big or too small.
• You can feel your footloose in the shoe.
• The shoe can feel too tight and pinch your toes.
• It feels like your foot flattens out with each step.
• Your foot hurts towards the end of the day and gets very sore.

5)Specific medical conditions:

• It is also possible that specific medical conditions could cause your toenail to turn black.
• In some of our older patients, it is possible that blood flow problems can result in less blood flow to the toenails.
• Peripheral arterial disease leading to black gangrene is common in people who smoke.

Other conditions to look out for are:

• Diabetes.
• Kidney problems.
• Heart disease and congestive heart failure.
• Anemia.

It is always a good idea to see your podiatrist if you are developing a worrisome black toenail, as it could be something more than a fungus or an injury.

It is always possible that he could be developing a subungual melanoma or potentially even cutting off blood flow to your toenails.