Black toenail: trauma or fungus? How to tell the difference
- A black nail is often a subungual haematoma from trauma, not a fungus.
- A knock or tight shoes can cause bleeding under the nail.
- At home: protect it, don’t tear it, keep it clean and dry.
- If it appears without trauma or doesn’t improve, have it assessed.
A toenail turning dark is alarming, but in most cases it’s a trauma. Let’s look at how to recognise it and what to do.
Trauma or fungus: how to tell them apart?
A black nail is often a subungual haematoma: blood pools under the nail after a knock, a fall or because of shoes that are too tight (typical in runners). A fungus, on the other hand, tends to give a more yellow-brown colour, with thickened and crumbling nails. Sometimes a trauma can also lead to onycholysis, that is the detachment of the nail from the bed.
Telling them apart with certainty is not easy with the naked eye: it is the podiatrist, with a clinical eye, who identifies the real cause.
What to do at home?
- Don’t tear off the nail, even if it is partly lifted.
- Protect it with a plaster and keep it clean and dry.
- Wear comfortable shoes that don’t press on it.
- Keep the nails short and cut straight across.
Frequently asked questions
Is a black nail always a fungus?
If it’s coming off, what do I do?
When should I worry?
Concerned about your feet? Let’s talk
An assessment with a podiatrist catches the problem early and prevents complications. Prevention is better than cure: book in Osimo or Villa Musone di Loreto.