Black & Bruised Toenail Bleeding [Causes, Symptoms & Best Treatment]
Do you have a black & bruised toenail with bleeding? AKA subungual hematoma. It is usually caused by blunt force trauma and exercising with bad shoes!
Look:
Red & black toenail pain can be improved with a few simple treatment changes.
We are foot doctors & we see this problem get better almost every day.
The goal is to solve this problem without medication or surgery if at all possible.
So, let’s GO!
Table of Contents
Red or Black Toenail Picture & Photo Gallery:
Look:
A red toenail generally means fresh blood or a fresh injury. This can be called a toenail hematoma, or fresh blood from repetitive irritation.
A black toenail is generally more dried blood, that has crested underneath the toenail.
Very infrequently can a black toenail be something more dangerous like melanoma.
It is also possible for your toenail to the infected with toenail fungus, this can also then result in rubbing and bleeding after the toenail fungus.
If there is toenail fungus, this is usually more of a brown or yellow color.
Please click on the photo gallery for descriptions & full size photos!
Please click on the photo gallery for descriptions & full size photos!
What Is A Bruised Toenail?
A bruised toenail occurs after your toes experience some serious overuse or injury!
This can happen if your drop something on your toes or bang them very hard.
This type of injury can also occur during some extreme exercise, such as marathon running or training.
It is especially more common after running hills, hiking and starting a new exercise class.
The problem with bruised toenails are not only how unsightly they are!
They can continue causing severe pain and can even fall off over time.
If these nails are not properly treated, this can lead to fungal infection and deformed regrowth of the nail in the future.
Left great toenail bleeding black toenail with left 2nd red toenail.
Are Bruised Toenails Common?
It is very common to experience toenail pain after a race.
It is common knowledge that after a long race such as a marathon, a good deal of people will experience toe pain.
This is especially more common if this is one of your first marathons, or you are just getting your body used to this type of punishment!
Your feet and toes will usually be swollen.
If your feet and toes are swollen, this means your toenail will have a decrease in blood and will also undergo inflammation.
If this swelling and pain is severe enough, your toenail may loosen and fill with blood.
The under-surface of the nail plate is rich with blood vessels and if ruptured they will bleed!
Both big toe joints are sore from rubbing due to tight shoes.
What Toenails Are Most Commonly Bruised?
The most commonly bruised toenails are those from the longest toes.
It is usually the longest toe that is most commonly effected.
In most people this is the big toenail, but it is perfectly normal for the 2nd toe to be the longest in some people.
It is also common for the 3rd toenail to experience bruising as well!
The 5th toe is likely to go numb and experience tingling, experience a corn or callus, but rarely a bruised 5th toenail!
Right great toe fracture and right 3rd toe fracture.
Bruised Toenails in Ultra-marathoners:
I previously worked a couple ultra marathons at an aid station as a student.
It is amazing how many injuries develop at the end of these massive races. Some of these runners have never ran anything like this, but push themselves to the limit.
Bruised toenails, loose toenails, stress fractures and chronic muscle inflammation in places you have never seen before!
At these distances, bruised toenails are very common! So you have nothing to worry about, there is nothing wrong with you!
Both feet have big black toenails.
Who else gets Bruised Toenails?
“Weekend Warriors”- Those who go all out with a body not prepared for it.
People starting new exercise classes.
People starting a weight loss routine and pushing themselves very hard at the beginning.
People breaking in new shoes.
People who drop something heavy on their toenails.
People who stub their toenail very hard!
Bruised Toenail Causes:
The basic formula for developing a bruised toenail is the amount of force with the repetition of that force. So two scenarios are possible for acquiring a large bruised toenails.
1) One Large Very Forceful Impact.
A massive amount of force in just one hit. Examples of this include dropping a heavy object onto your toe, or smashing your toe against a stair while running.
Right great toe fracture and right 3rd toe fracture.
Symptoms:
Obvious pain.
Swelling and bleeding within 30 minutes.
Numbness and tingling are possible.
Black or red toenail.
2) Many Small Repetitive Impacts.
This is the type of pain runners usually experience.
This is most common in runners. This is experienced as shear stress.
As you are running forward, with each step as it plants into the group, the toes slide into the shoe.
So with each step, the skin under the toenail is pulling away from the toenail.
The more steps you take, the heavier you are, and the tighter your shoe is: the more damage is being caused.
Both big toe joints are sore from rubbing due to tight shoes.
Symptoms:
Obvious pain.
Swelling and bleeding within 30 minutes.
Numbness and tingling are possible.
Black or red toenail.
Risk Factors:
What makes runners more susceptible to this type of injury?
1)Poorly fitted shoes:
As mentioned above, your foot does need room to slide forward into the front of your shoe with each step. If you are only running for 20 minutes or less per day and are in shape, this won’t make much of a different. But the tighter the shoe, the more you weight and the farther your run- the more you are at risk!
2)Running hills:
The more you down hills and up hills, the more your feet will slide. The more the slide in your shoe absorbing impact, the more your toenails are at risk!
3)Increased weight:
The more you weigh, the more at risk you are for friction forces through the front of your toes.
4)Extremely long races:
The further your run, especially marathons and ultra-marathons, the more you are at risk! In my experience, losing a toenail is very common in ultra- marathoners!
Best Toenail Fungus Products:
Toenail Fungus Best Treatment Products
These are our favorite products to treat toenail fungus at home.
Keratin Granulations are very easily taken care of through moisturizing your nails with cuticle wax, oils and simply avoiding nail polish for a little while.
It is not necessary to buy anything expensive or online; it is fine simply using a product like Vaseline or any other petroleum oil in most circumstances.
So get yourself some petroleum jelly at your corner store and just apply it to your nails at night when you won’t be using your hands. In 2 weeks you should be in great shape!
Make sure you read the reviews and see if it is good for you!
How to fix toenail fungus:
There are many different types of toenail damage.
In our experience, about 90% or more is related to toenail fungus.
The key to toenail fungus is to trim it is much as possible, and file that nailed down.
These products are not meant to replace prescription drugs or medical treatment equipment.
If you are able to do that, you have to make sure you can kill fungus the rest of the way.
The best way to do that is to soak exfoliate the affected toenail skin. So, consider foot soaks.
At the same time you have to apply antifungal medication such as these medications recommended here, or the toenail repair pens
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Best Toenail Repair Pen.
Top Choice For Direct Toenail Application.
Top Choice For Cream For Toenails & Webspaces.
Great Option For Foot Soak.
Great Tea Tree Oil Treatment
Price:
$27.99
$19.90
$17.99
$17.97
$21.99
Overview:
4 Pens with quick dry application that leaves a sealing lid on top. Easy to store and apply. Key is still to trim/file the toenail first!
All natural option that is toxic to fungus. This is similar to tea tree oil in that respect but can be more effective. You still need to exfoliate dead skin and trim thick toenails.
All natural cream option. This is a good option compared to some of the quick dry gels. This can be used on the skin surrounding your toenails.
Safe, cost effective and relaxing all at the same time! This needs to be used in a 20 minute foot soak. Works well for exfoliating loose skin/toenail as well as softening.
Tea Tree Oil is well studied and an all natural anti-fungal treatment.
Pros:
Easy to use, quick drying. This fills into the cracks and seals them with minimal mess. This is great for sealing even dehydrated keratin granulations.
All natural, relatively cost effective. 1,000s of reviews with excellent results. Very clean and quick drying, easy to apply.
Relatively cost effective. All natural tea tree oil that is proven toxic to fungus. Can be used on surrounding skin as well.
Very safe, little risk, low cost and very effective if used correctly. The key is to use it as an aid to soften and exfoliate loose/dry dead skin and toenail.
Great reviews at 4.7/5 at 500+ overall reviews. Well proven and natural option.
Cons:
0% chance of working if your toenail is loose and has no blood supply. Make sure you trim and file any loose finger or toenail. Otherwise “0% CHANCE OF WORKING!” You cannot restore a dead toenail without blood flow.
Small amount and a little more expensive than some other options. Once more has 0% chance of working if your goal is to heal a dead, detached toenail or dry skin. Are you noticing this is a trend? This is really the key!
Still more expensive than other options. Can get messy all over different areas of your foot. Key is still debride and cleaning your dry dead toenails and skin. TRIM them!
It once more has 0% chance working if you are trying to save loose and dead crusty skin. Fungus will always grow on this if no blood flow. It can not regenerate dead skin, only exfoliate it.
Not the greatest amount of solution, the all natural solutions can be more expensive.
Crucial Tips:
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
Although tea tree oil does nave studies and is antifungal, it is not an FDA approved medication and not studied for this specific use.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
4 Pens with quick dry application that leaves a sealing lid on top. Easy to store and apply. Key is still to trim/file the toenail first!
Pros:
Easy to use, quick drying. This fills into the cracks and seals them with minimal mess. This is great for sealing even dehydrated keratin granulations.
Cons:
0% chance of working if your toenail is loose and has no blood supply. Make sure you trim and file any loose finger or toenail. Otherwise “0% CHANCE OF WORKING!” You cannot restore a dead toenail without blood flow.
Crucial Tips:
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
All natural option that is toxic to fungus. This is similar to tea tree oil in that respect but can be more effective. You still need to exfoliate dead skin and trim thick toenails.
Pros:
All natural, relatively cost effective. 1,000s of reviews with excellent results. Very clean and quick drying, easy to apply.
Cons:
Small amount and a little more expensive than some other options. Once more has 0% chance of working if your goal is to heal a dead, detached toenail or dry skin. Are you noticing this is a trend? This is really the key!
Crucial Tips:
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
All natural cream option. This is a good option compared to some of the quick dry gels. This can be used on the skin surrounding your toenails.
Pros:
Relatively cost effective. All natural tea tree oil that is proven toxic to fungus. Can be used on surrounding skin as well.
Cons:
Still more expensive than other options. Can get messy all over different areas of your foot. Key is still debride and cleaning your dry dead toenails and skin. TRIM them!
Crucial Tips:
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Safe, cost effective and relaxing all at the same time! This needs to be used in a 20 minute foot soak. Works well for exfoliating loose skin/toenail as well as softening.
Pros:
Very safe, little risk, low cost and very effective if used correctly. The key is to use it as an aid to soften and exfoliate loose/dry dead skin and toenail.
Cons:
It once more has 0% chance working if you are trying to save loose and dead crusty skin. Fungus will always grow on this if no blood flow. It can not regenerate dead skin, only exfoliate it.
Crucial Tips:
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
There are some great toenail fungus polish options and polish removal options.
There are none acetone based toenail polish remover’s, they don’t dry as quickly, but they are less like a dehydrator toenail.
This also applies for your fingernails and hands.
The benefits of using these non-toxic toenail polishes are: they are filled with non-fungal options such as tea tree oil which prevent the spread of toenail fungus.
These can also work well for the fingernails.
So great combo is to use one of these healthier toenail paint options, as well as a non-acetone based toenail polish remover.
Non-Toxic Toenail Polish
Great Non-Acetone Toenail Polish Remover
Great Clear Topcoat & Anti-fungal Toenail Polish.
Great Multicolor Topcoat & Anti-fungal Toenail Polish.
Nail file and removal equipment set.
Price:
$11.99
$18.00
$48.00
$9.99
Overview:
Great non-toxic and non-acetone toenail remove. Great budget price with removal.
Great reliable brand that is combined with non-toxic and anti-fungal ingredients.
Great reliable brand that is combined with non-toxic and anti-fungal ingredients. Variety of colors.
Great reviews and value for toenail polish remover with nail file.
Pros:
Great reviewed product: 4.4/5 with 1600+ reviews. No acetone.
Tea tree oil base. Great reviews at 4.4/5 with over 200+ ratings. Great brand.
Tea tree oil base. Great reviews at 4.5/5 with a reliable brand.
Great reviews at 4.4/5 with 270 ratings. Includes nail files which are important.
Cons:
There are some questions about what organic really means for this brand. Some prefer the faster drying of acetone.
Some compliants of it getting thick if not sealing it properly.
Some compliants of it getting thick if not sealing it properly. Can be more expensive due to anti-fungal ingredients
More of a value budget set.
Crucial Tips:
Some prefer the quicker drying of acetone, but this works better if you are having drying and fungus issues.
If you still use acetone, it may still dehydrate.
If you still use acetone, it may still dehydrate.
The key is after removal, the nail files are useful for removal dry superficial nails and keratin granulations.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
It is also very important to fix your foot fungus.
Even if you cure your toenail fungus, keep your toenails trimmed in healthy: it is possible for your foot fungus to spread back into toenails.
It’s not a far journey from skin fungus to jump onto your toenails again.
So make sure you treat your foot fungus, as well as your toenail fungus.
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Fungus Combo (Foot Soak, Body Wash & Toe Ointment)
Best Foot Powder Option For Shoes.
Best Shower Body Wash
Best choice for Foot Bath Mix
Best & Most Cost Effective Foot Soak Tub.
Price:
$30.74
$30.65
$15.30
$14.65
$14.97
Overview:
This is almost everything you need for foot fungus! This has a foot soak powder, body wash for showering and toenail ointment.
3 pack of foot powder spray. This is great for shoes and feet, but not as practical outside the foot or shoe.
Great cost effective shower wash.
Mix of epsom salts, tea tree oil for a good price.
This is a cost effective tub for foot soaks. You still need to also buy a foot soak powder or solution!
Pros:
Great cost ($50+ separately), $29 in the bundle. Tea tree oil has proven antifungal benefits. Excellent reviews and good overall cost value.
If you sweat in your shoes, this is your best bet. This will soak up sweat and kill fungus. Very effective and excellent Amazon reviews. 3 pack online is the price of one bottle at the store.
Over 5,000 5 star amazon reviews. Great reviews, medically proven component in tea tree oil. All natural with excellent results.
Epsom salts and tea tree oil have proven effect. Epsom salts make your loose skin flake off and tea tree oil is anti-fungal. Great price and near 5 star review on Amazon.
Excellent choice for cost effective foot soak tub. Top notch reviews on amazon, great price.
Cons:
The combo could be more than you need. You still need a foot bath tub.
Powder makes a big mess. Good for shoes but it can get powder inside your shoes. Can have chemical like smell.
Can be more expensive than regular soap. It may not be enough by itself without soaking or especially further toenail treatment.
Foot soak by itself may not be enough to fix your problem, but a component. You also need a foot tub.
Not much downsides, it’s a tub! But you have to get foot soak powder or antifungal solution separately.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
3 pack of foot powder spray. This is great for shoes and feet, but not as practical outside the foot or shoe.
Pros:
If you sweat in your shoes, this is your best bet. This will soak up sweat and kill fungus. Very effective and excellent Amazon reviews. 3 pack online is the price of one bottle at the store.
Cons:
Powder makes a big mess. Good for shoes but it can get powder inside your shoes. Can have chemical like smell.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Mix of epsom salts, tea tree oil for a good price.
Pros:
Epsom salts and tea tree oil have proven effect. Epsom salts make your loose skin flake off and tea tree oil is anti-fungal. Great price and near 5 star review on Amazon.
Cons:
Foot soak by itself may not be enough to fix your problem, but a component. You also need a foot tub.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
You definitely want to get great shoes and sandals for your toenail fungus and foot fungus.
Specifically when you are in a communal shower, or pool you want to get a good pair of sandals. We compiled a great list of our recommended orthotic flip-flops.
You also want to get new breathable shoes, that are not covered in sweat and that have mesh around the toes.
Specifically good pairs of running shoes have mesh where your toes are, this prevents your toenails from rubbing, and prevents them from dreaming on the front of the foot.
Click on the below link to see which shoes we recommend for your toenail fungus and foot fungus.