Have you ever discovered one of your toenails has turned black? Well, you don't need to panic, but don't ignore it either. While often harmless, sometimes a black toenail can signal a more serious condition that needs more immediate attention.
3 Causes of Black Toenails
Trauma
Many black toenails are the result of simple trauma. While they may look ugly, black toenails from trauma will eventually grow out.
Fungal Infection
Black toenails can also point to a fungal infection called onychomycosis. Fungal nails can be challenging to treat, especially if they've been present for a while when the nail has thickened. Fortunately, over the years, we've developed a comprehensive treatment plan combining the most effective methods for eliminating toenail fungus, with 80 to 90% of our patients satisfied with their care and the resolution of fungus.
Melanoma
Now, for the most important reason to never ignore a black toenail--melanoma. It's a dangerous form of skin cancer that develops from a mole that becomes malignant and can appear under the toenail.
Melanoma often goes undetected until it's too late. While not as common as facial melanoma, it has a higher mortality rate because people rarely examine their feet. This delayed discovery typically means the cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment is less effective.
Melanoma is one of the most common cancers of the feet. Though not very frequent because we don't examine our feet as often as our face, melanoma on the feet typically has a higher death rate, as it's often discovered too late.
Some signs of melanoma on the nail are:
- a new brown or black band that's a streak from the cuticle out to the end
- dark color spilling over to the skin next to the nail
- signs of infections such as drainage, pus, and pain
- splitting or bleeding of the nail without any history of trauma
- a bruise under the nail that doesn't go away.
Although some dark bands could be non-cancerous and caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, it's important to see a podiatrist or other medical professional immediately for a proper diagnosis if any of these signs and symptoms are present.
In conclusion, while most black toenails are harmless, if it turns out to be melanoma, it's essential to get it treated immediately to save your life.
