Nails are a mirror that reflects the state of human health, and are often the first to indicate serious diseases of the body. Diseases of the nails, in which their color changes, always cause great discomfort in a person and significantly reduce his quality of life.
Normal nail plates are pale pink in color. They are shiny and have slight fading in the center. At the posterior edge there is a white nail fold.
Pigmentation of the nail itself, as a primary change, is inherent in people of some nationalities.
The melanin, hemosiderin and hepatogenic pigments accumulated under its bed give the nail a different color.
The color of the nail plates changes in a number of diseases. The most common cause of discoloration is associated with a fungal infection (onychomycosis). When changing color, texture, shape and thickness. At different stages of the development of the disease, these changes are expressed in one form or another. In second place for the loss of primary nail color is psoriasis.
Change in nail color due to fungal infection
Among all the diseases that occur with changes in nail color, onychomycosis is the most common. With these diseases, color changes, shine is lost, stripes and spots appear, and the thickness of the nail plates increases. Over time, they become deformed, crumble, collapse, or are torn away from the nail bed.
More often, nail plates with fungal infection acquire a yellowish or brown color. With trichophytosis - dirty gray. With rubromycosis and favus - yellow coloration.
Rice. 1. The photo shows onychomycosis (normotrophic type). The nail plate retains its configuration for a long time. In its depth, spots and stripes of white or deep yellow color are visible. Over time, the discolored areas merge.
Rice. 2. The photo shows a nail disease caused by the fungus Trichophyton rubrum (onycholytic type). The nail plate quickly loses its original color and becomes dull, acquiring a whitish or whitish-yellowish color. There is a rapid separation of the nail plate from the nail bed from the side of the free edge.
Rice. 3. The photo shows onychomycosis (hypertrophic type). This form of the disease is the most common. Up to 90% of cases are caused by fungi of the genus Trichophyton rubrum. The development of subungual hyperkeratosis entails a significant thickening of the nail, which over time loses substance, causing the surface to become “eaten away.” In its thickness, whitish spots and stripes of white and yellow are visible.
Rice. 4. The photo shows white superficial onychomycosis. The second most common form of onychomycosis. In 90% of cases, the disease is caused by a fungus of the genus Trichophyton interdigitale, which affects only the top layer of the nail plate, which never thickens or separates from the skin. Over time, its entire surface becomes loose, like chalk powder.
Change in nail color due to psoriasis
The causes of psoriasis have not yet been established. The disease is considered multifactorial. There is no doubt that changes in the immune system play a large role in the development of the disease. Nail plates with psoriasis change long before the appearance of the main manifestations of the disease - psoriatic plaques on the skin. The more the matrix is involved in the pathological process, the more pronounced the change in the nail plate, which over time completely loses its structure and color.
Rice. 5. The photo shows nail disease due to psoriasis. A characteristic sign of primary psoriasis is a narrow reddish-pinkish strip visible through the nail plate.
Rice. 6. The photo shows nail disease due to psoriasis. Under the nail plate, a reddish or salmon-colored coloration is visible, resembling a drop of oil in shape.
Rice. 7. The photo shows an erythematous-spotted form of psoriasis. Yellowish spots appear through the nail plate.
Rice. 8. The photo shows nail disease due to psoriasis. The structure of the nail plate on the matrix side is destroyed; the undamaged part has acquired a smoky color.
Nail diseases in which the nail plates have white spots (leukonychia)
Leukonychia is the coloring of the nail plates white - from dotted and stripe-like to total.
Most common punctate leukonychia. It is caused by injuries during manicure. Leukonychia punctata occurs as a result of exposure to certain chemicals. Often the cause of punctate leukonychia cannot be identified.
Leukonychia punctata can transform into leukonychia stripe. It is assumed that this type of change in nail color is associated with changes in trophic nature. White stripes on the nails appear due to arsenic and thallium poisoning.
Total nail coloring white(white nails or Terry's nails) appear in 80% of cases in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. They are a symptom of kidney and heart failure, diabetes, iron deficiency anemia and malnutrition. White discoloration of the nail bed is seen with chemotherapy and excessive production of thyroid hormones. Scientists believe that Terry's nails appear when the number of blood vessels decreases and connective tissue grows in the nail bed. At the same time, the nails become matte. White nail plates are often found with onychomycosis.
Rice. 9. The photo shows white spots on the nails (punctate leukonychia).
Rice. 10. The photo shows white spots on the nails (streak-like leukonychia).
Rice. 11. The photo shows white superficial onychomycosis. In 90% of cases, the disease is caused by a fungus of the genus Trichophyton interdigitale, which affects only the top layer of the nail plate, which becomes loose, like chalk powder.
Rice. 12. The photo shows white “Terry’s nails.” Total white staining appears in 80% of cases in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Rice. 13. The photo shows psoriasis. The nail plate is destroyed and has a grayish-white color.
Rice. 14. The photo shows arched lines on the nail plates (Murke lines). Occurs in patients with a reduced amount of protein in the blood. When the protein amount is normalized, the lines disappear.
Nail diseases in which the nail plates are yellow (“yellow” nails)
A yellow color appears with a fungal infection, when the cause of the disease is red trichophyton and some types of mold fungi aspergillus.
Yellow coloration is observed in bronchiectasis, sinusitis, thyroid diseases and tuberculosis. It is often a sign of jaundice.
The yellow color of the nail plate becomes due to frequent use of low-quality varnish.
With defects in the development of the lymphatic system, the nails slow down their growth, thicken, lose transparency, become yellow, and the lunula disappears. The disease is accompanied by swelling of the upper limb and periungual fold.
Rice. 15. The photo shows yellow nail plates due to fungal infection.
Rice. 16. In the photo, yellow nail plates are one of the syndromes associated with a number of diseases.
Nail diseases in which the nail plates are brown (“brown” nails)
Brown staining of the nail plates is most often observed with onychomycosis caused by trichophyton red, chronic renal failure (in 40% of cases) and Addison's disease.
Nails acquire a brownish color in women during pregnancy, surgical interventions for diseases of the female genital organs, diabetes, malnutrition, thyroid disease, frequent use of low-quality varnish, use of certain medications (gold preparations, zidovudine, anthracyclines, etc.) .
Nail plates acquire a brownish-green tint due to candidiasis and aspergillosis.
Rice. 17. In the photo there is a nail disease - onychomycosis.
Nail diseases in which the nail plates are green (“green” nails)
Nails acquire a black-green color as they develop in the loose structure of the nail. White, brown, green or black color is given to the nail plates by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. The disease most often affects the nails of the first three toes. Whitish spots or stripes are visible on their surface. Over time, the surface itself becomes soft, powdery and crumbly, grayish, brownish or green in color.
Rice. 18. The photo shows a nail disease caused by mold fungi of the genus Aspergillus.
Rice. 19. The photo shows a nail disease caused by fungi of the genus Candida albicans. The fungus colonizes weakened areas. More often, the nail plates on the hands are affected, which become discolored or acquire a brownish or greenish color and thicken. Sometimes the surrounding skin is affected, which causes pain. Wearing artificial nails contributes to the disease.
Rice. 20. The photo shows a nail disease caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (onychia pseudomonas). Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonizes in the cavities of the nail plates.
Nail diseases in which the nail plates have a gray-blue or blue color (“blue” nails)
When broad-spectrum antibiotics tetracycline and minomycin are used, the nails turn blue; when trichophytosis occurs, they turn dirty gray.
The nail plates acquire a gray-blue color when taking the antimalarial drug quinine and the antiprotozoal drug chloroquine.
The color changes with an increase in methemoglobin in the blood. In some cases, methemoglobinemia develops during acute poisoning with aniline dyes, paracetamol, potassium permanganate, etc. and chronic intoxication with silver compounds (argyria). There is congenital methemoglobinemia.
Rice. 21. The photo shows nail plates that have a gray-blue color.
Rice. 22. The photo shows a nail disease caused by taking Minocycline.
Rice. 23. The photo shows Wilson-Konovalov disease, in which an excess of copper in the body leads to its accumulation in many organs, including nails and the cornea of the eye.
Rice. 24. The photo shows a bluish coloration of all nail plates due to insufficient peripheral circulation (hypoxemia), which is most often caused by chronic heart failure. A bluish discoloration of the peripheral parts of the body is observed on the hands, tip of the nose, lips and ears.
Nail diseases that cause dark streaks (melanonychia)
Melanonychia appears by the age of 20 in 77% of people with black skin. However, if this happens to a fair-skinned person, you should be wary. In this case, it is necessary to rule out melanoma, the most malignant tumor in the world. This tumor, as it grows, affects the nail bed and is called subungual melanoma. The color always changes on one nail plate. Most often, the causes of melanonychia remain unknown.
The routes of transmission are not fully understood. It can get under the nails through tools in the salon (which is quite rare), and maybe through everyday use, after an injury, provided that the nail is detached from the natural nail plate - when a cavity is created that retains moisture and creates optimal conditions for pseudomonia to live.
The bacterium produces the enzyme pyocyanin, which gives the nail a yellow-green, blue-green or brown-brown color, sometimes even black. Over the course of a few days, the stain becomes more intensely colored. The whole process lasts about 10-14 days.
In this case, it is recommended to cut off the nail as much as possible, reduce the cavity and treat the affected area with antibacterial solutions, apply a compress with a slightly acidic solution (for example, lemon juice). If the infection is located under the extended plate, it is recommended to remove the nail. In some cases, you can clean this area with a disposable saw. Pseudomonias die very quickly when exposed to air and in an acidic environment. Over time, the signs of infection will go away, as will the infection itself.
Since the bacterium is opportunistic, infections most often occur in people with weakened immune systems, and more than once. In this case, you need to additionally review your diet, take vitamins and immunomodulators.
How to avoid?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be brought in by a manicurist. To avoid the spread of infection, after cutting down the artificial material and cleaning the stain, it is necessary to throw away the used saw, disinfect the table surface and treat your hands with antiseptic.
In advanced cases, the finger begins to hurt and becomes red, which indicates that the infection has spread to nearby tissues. You should consult a doctor immediately.
What is mold?
Fungal nail infection - onychomycosis. Caused by various types of fungus. The disease begins with a skin lesion, then, if it is not noticed and treated, the infection spreads to the nail. The fungus continues to grow and develop and spreads to the nail bed. In the process, it exfoliates the nail and fills the space between the plates, giving the nail a yellowish-green, brown or black color.It should be remembered that there are a large number of different fungi. For humans, dermatophytes and trichophytes, which are the direct causative agents of onychomycosis, are more pathogenic. Molds can affect nails against the background of existing diseases, or they take a minor part in the development of onychomycosis. They independently provoke nail diseases in very rare cases, as they are weakly pathogenic for humans.
Conclusion : There is no such thing as “mold” on nails, although such a concept exists in our society.
Why can't it be confused?
Yes, there is something in common. Pseudomonia and fungus love moisture, but fungus (including mold) can be picked up in a bathhouse, sauna, through railings, door handles, food, since the skin is first affected and is very susceptible to this pathogen. Pseudomonia - the infection should get directly under the nail or artificial nail plate, where moisture has also entered and where there are all the necessary conditions for it.Another common thing is that they are more common in people with reduced immunity. Pseudomonias die when exposed to air and in an acidic environment; the fungus is much more stable and difficult to fight. Basic therapy is antifungal agents. With a fungal infection, the nail is destroyed faster, which means there is less time to think.
How to distinguish?
- Pseudomonias - most often give a green tint to the nail in the form of spots.
- Fungus – yellow and white stripes; the skin at the base of the nail often forms an inflamed halo.
The problem is quite serious, since the presence of diseases and their consequences due to advanced cases (for example, deformities) can significantly spoil the aesthetic appearance of the nails.
Beauty is first and foremost health!
Darkening of the fingernail is an unpleasant and quite common phenomenon. Women often try to hide the defect with decorative varnishes, but this does not improve the appearance. Along with darkening, deformation is sometimes present. If the nail on your big toe has turned blue or black, it is better not to hide the stain, but to understand the reasons and begin treatment.
Plate defects can be very different, the reasons for their appearance are also different. Nails not only change color, but their structure may also change. The plates may peel and crumble.
A seemingly harmless spot can lead to loss of the nail plate. A change in the color of the toenails may indicate a serious illness and be its consequence.
Fungus
One of the common reasons why black spots appear on toenails is an infection.
Fungal spores move from the feet of a sick person to the floor. Manicure and pedicure salons, where instruments are poorly processed, are also common places for infection. You can become infected by wearing someone else's shoes, clothes and using hygiene items.
When infected with a fungus, the nail plate may change color to gray, brown, or less often black. It should be remembered that it is very difficult to remove microorganisms; long-term regular procedures are required.
If several months have passed and a healthy plate does not appear, the nail still has an unnatural color, changes occur in other plates, and most likely there is a fungal infection.
Injury
In most cases, the cause of a dark toenail is a simple injury. The thumb is more likely than others to be hit during injuries. However, the cause of injury can be not only a blow, but also wearing tight shoes.
Numerous small blood vessels when wearing tight shoes are subject to constant compression and easily burst. Such injuries are common among athletes. In this case, the darkening under the toenail is a simple bruise.
In most cases, it goes away on its own within a few weeks. However, constant pressure from uncomfortable synthetic shoes, lack of ventilation and hygiene can cause suppuration and loss of the plate.
If a bruise appears under the nail, you need to take care of choosing comfortable, hygienic shoes and take care of your feet.
Attention. If the injury did not occur from a blow, you should think about measures to strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Increased fragility of blood vessels will constantly provoke the appearance of dark spots.
Hemangioma
Darkening of the big toe nail can be caused by a hemangioma located under the plate. This is a tumor formed by a network of blood vessels.
It is benign in nature and has a red-brown color. Located under the nail plate, it looks like darkening.
It causes pain and inconvenience when moving and requires wearing loose shoes. The tumor may go away on its own, but sometimes this happens after several years.
Dyes
A common cause of brown toenails is foot contact with dyes. This can happen when treating feet with iodine or baths with potassium permanganate. A common cause of discoloration of the plates is the use of low-quality decorative varnishes for pedicures.
The aggressive dye in the varnish cannot be removed with simple solvents, but penetrates deep into the nail tissue. Sometimes you have to wait until a new plate grows out for your nails to take on a natural color.
Wearing heavily faded socks or shoes can stain the plates, especially if your limbs constantly sweat.
Diseases of internal organs
Some diseases, especially in advanced form, can have consequences that change the color of the plates.
The most common and dangerous of them is diabetes mellitus. Metabolic disorders lead to problems with blood vessels and blood circulation. The legs are often and seriously injured, fungal infection occurs, the plates turn black and delaminate.
A spot on the big toenail can lead to severe infection. With elevated sugar, abscesses often develop, which end in gangrene and amputation of the limb.
A dark nail with a hint of green may indicate digestive problems. In this case, consultation with a gastroenterologist is necessary.
In case of cardiovascular diseases, the plate may have a dark blue color. If your big toe nail turns blue, you should consult a cardiologist before treating it.
Problems with blood circulation in the legs and fragility of blood vessels can lead to the appearance of blue and black spots. In this case, you need to take care of good rest, foot baths and treatment of the disease by a specialist.
Diseases of the brain and central nervous system can also change the color of the nail plates. Diseases of the liver, immune system, lymph nodes, and endocrine disorders can also affect color.
To summarize, we can say that changes in the color of the plate can be caused by the following reasons:
- injuries and resulting hematomas;
- chemicals that have penetrated into plates made from low-quality varnishes and shoe materials;
- fungal infection;
- diseases of internal organs.
Let's consider what will help get rid of the scourge and how to treat black nails.
What you can and should do do it yourself
If darkening of the plate is accompanied by pain or swelling, you should consult a traumatologist. The accumulation of fluid under the nail can be dangerous and lead to purulent inflammation. It may be necessary to puncture or remove the plate.
If you become infected with a fungus, you should prepare for long-term treatment. At the same time, both antimycotic drugs and folk remedies require long-term systematic use. If the infection is severe, antibacterial agents can be prescribed not only locally, but also for oral administration.
If the nail plates are damaged as a result of general diseases, you need to visit your doctor and draw up a treatment plan.
However, in most cases this will not be necessary, and black toenail treatment can be done at home on your own.
Immediately after an injury, the leg should be washed well, dried and a cold compress applied. The finger must be covered with ice for 15-20 minutes. If there is an open wound, the blood should be removed and applied. The leg must be elevated and rested.
Further actions are the same as when treating bruises. The damaged area can be lubricated with Riciniol to accelerate tissue healing and reduce inflammation.
The finger needs to be bandaged to prevent additional injury and not to touch the nail. It is necessary to choose a comfortable shoe size so as not to compress the sore spot. However, the shoes should not be too big so that your feet fidget in them.
You should not try to tear off the plate, even if it is movable. We need to wait for it to go away on its own. You can also use a special tool.
If the condition of the leg worsens, inflammation occurs and the pain intensifies, you should stop self-medication and go to the doctor.
Plates darkened by contact with chemicals can be bleached using traditional methods.
Soda
Add water to a spoonful of baking soda to form a creamy mixture. It should be applied to washed nails and left until dry. Then rinse off and lubricate your feet with rich cream or vegetable oil.
Hydrogen peroxide
Apply a mixture of peroxide and glycerin (1 to 5) to the plates. Cover with a swab for 10 minutes. Wash your feet and lubricate them with cream.
Do not use varnishes during bleaching. Socks and shoes should be chosen without bright colors. To prevent your feet from sweating, sprinkle them with talcum powder.
Conclusion
Blackened nail plates are not only frightening with an unaesthetic appearance, but can also be evidence of unpleasant diseases. Therefore, you need to find the reasons for their appearance and not delay treatment, so that your feet will enjoy beautiful, healthy nails.
In contact with
About half of the fair sex are dissatisfied with the condition of their nails. Dull, brittle, have depressions and tubercles, grow slowly and often flake off. And few people know that all these problems are the result of improper care. What mistakes can be corrected so that tomorrow your nails become the subject of admiration?
We debunk popular myths about manicure and nail care.
Trimmed manicure is a classic in nail care. It has become so firmly entrenched in our lives that sometimes it seems to us the only right decision. Indeed, if the cuticle has grown greatly, only trimming can tidy up your hands. But if you regularly take care of your nails, you shouldn't put the skin around your nails at additional risk!
Expert commentary
The cuticle is not just the part of your skin that surrounds your nail. It performs important functions, namely, it protects the nail bed from bacteria and infections. When you trim your cuticle, you open the way for bacteria and increase the risk of infectious diseases.
Beauty secret:
The ideal option for caring for the cuticle is to soften it and carefully push the skin towards the base of the nail. In your care, use products designed specifically for the cuticle - natural oils, removers, and moisturizers.
Myth 2: Gel nails are preferable to acrylic nails
Gel and acrylic nails have a lot in common. During the formation of artificial nails, complex chemical processes occur, the purpose of which is not only to recreate the perfect manicure, but also to attach it to the natural nail. As a result, we inhale quite dangerous chemical compounds, and harmful substances get onto the nail plate.
Another special feature of acrylic is that during its removal there is a high risk of damage to the natural nail plates, and as a result - the risk of infection. But gel nails are no better! Experts at the New York University School of Medicine have proven that gel manicure is dangerous to health. The composition of the gel, the technique of applying and removing it, as well as drying nails in a UV lamp are all significant risks that should be avoided if possible.
Beauty secret:
If you can refuse extended nails, go to a salon where they strictly adhere to manicure technology and use high-quality certified materials. After removing artificial nails, take breaks and use this time for a course of restorative procedures.
Stains on nails are always a cause for concern, no matter what their appearance. And it is very important to consult a doctor as soon as possible to find out the nature of their occurrence. Many women consider green spots to be a fungal infection, and use antifungal drugs to treat them, while in most cases they are dealing with pseudomonas (Pseudomonas) - gram-negative aerobic bacteria. The latter can “settle” between the natural and artificial nails and produce a green “bloom”.
Beauty secret:
If you notice spots under your nails, the first thing you should do is remove your artificial nails and seek help from a dermatologist. A manicurist does not treat this disease; a specialized specialist deals with the infection.
Myth 4: A hand bath is required before applying the coating.
To attract clients to nail salons, service programs often include spa treatments - hand baths with essential oils based on aromatic herbs and sea salt. But all of the listed measures are not mandatory when creating beauty; on the contrary, if you do not wait after the procedure and immediately apply the coating, it will be less durable.
Nails have a porous structure. After soaking, it changes, and when the nails dry, it takes its previous shape. Therefore, the decorative coating applied immediately after the bath chips faster and loses its attractive appearance.
Beauty secret:
Do not wet your nails before applying polish! Well, if you choose a SPA manicure, wait a little time after the bath. There is another way to extend the durability of the varnish - degrease your nails.
Some women are sure that white specks on the nails indicate a lack of calcium or vitamins in the body. But in fact, the spots that appear often signal that the nail plate has been damaged. Accidental injury could occur while removing extended nails, using low-quality tools, or at home.
Beauty secret:
To avoid unsightly white spots, take care of your nails. Treat them with due care and attention, use quality tools, and wear gloves when doing all housework.
Myth 6: For nails to be beautiful, they must “breathe”
Wearing artificial nails for a long time can damage the natural plates. If this happens, the manicurist will advise you to refuse extensions, give your natural nails time to “breathe” and undergo a course of nourishing treatments. An important point of the latter is the “exposure” of the nail plates - removing all coatings, performing special hand baths and applying restorative concentrates. And meanwhile, the “breathing” of nails is an exaggeration.
Expert commentary
It is a popular misconception that sometimes you need to walk around without covering your nails so that your nails can “breathe.” Nails, like hair, do not breathe - this is a medical fact. And it is natural that they do not require oxygen. Nails receive all their nutrients from our blood. But procedures that strengthen nails are extremely useful.
Beauty secret:
You can maintain the health of your nails, as well as promote their growth and strengthening, with the help of home SPA treatments. Salt baths with the addition of essential oils, the use of moisturizing cream with aloe vera, the use of medicinal varnishes with vitamins B5, calcium, fluorine and keratin - these are the conditions under which your nails will become prettier every day.
Giving dried varnish a second life is a tempting idea. Sometimes the fair sex uses acetone for this purpose - a cheap product that is sold at every turn. But if you add it to nail polish, the formula of the polish will be ruined. In practice, this will result in a decrease in the quality of the coating - stripes and bubbles will appear. In addition, the presence of acetone in varnish is a damaging factor for the health of nails. It dries out nails and cuticles and can cause skin and respiratory irritation.
Beauty secret:
Use new generation varnish thinners. Instead of acetone, they contain methyl ethyl ketone, isopropyl alcohol and other compounds considered less harmful to human health.
Myth 8: Nail polish hardens faster in cold water.
A popular life hack among beauty bloggers is “drying” nails in ice water. “As soon as you immerse your painted nails in ice water, the coating will immediately harden and delight you with its flawlessness,” say beauty gurus. But in reality it turns out that this trick does not work.
Cold water actually helps to “dry” the nail plates, but it only acts at the highest level. In other words, the last layer of coating hardens, while the previous ones remain wet, and therefore prone to smudging and dents. That's why after such drying the manicure looks sloppy!
Beauty secret:
Use quality coatings! After application, they form a smooth, even coating, dry quickly and delight women with their durability.
Every woman wants nail polishes to please her with their decorative properties longer. And, nevertheless, there is no point in keeping them in the refrigerator, especially in the summer. The temperature difference that occurs when removing polish from the refrigerator and using it in a warm room will contribute to the deterioration of the beauty product.
Beauty secret:
The ideal place to store decorative varnishes is a dry, dark place away from direct sunlight. Information about this is always available on the product label, so there is no need to “reinvent the wheel”!
Let your nails always be the center of attention! Be healthy and beautiful!
When a black spot appears on the big toe nail, not everyone is in a hurry to seek medical help. Experts say that sometimes it acts as an indicator of the health of internal organs. Therefore, it is so important to determine the cause of the problem and, together with your doctor, look for ways to eliminate it.
Various reasons can provoke the appearance of black spots on the nail plates. To determine what exactly caused the formation of such a symptom, it is necessary to pay attention to additional manifestations.
The following table helps you navigate this issue.
| Name of pathology | Etiology | Pathogenesis | Diagnostic signs |
| Fungal infection | Infection is caused by various yeast-like microorganisms. Some of them are part of the opportunistic human microflora. With a sharp decrease in immunity, they are activated. You can become infected with others by visiting pedicure salons, putting someone else’s shoes on your feet, or using someone else’s hygiene products. | With a fungal infection, the nail plate gradually changes its color. At first it becomes cloudy, yellow, gray or brown. Blackness occurs in rare cases when the infection penetrates deeply and affects the nail bed. | The nail grows, but the area of the healthy plate below does not appear. It has an unnatural color for two to three months |
| Injury | The big toe is injured more often than other toes. This happens both with a direct blow and when wearing tight shoes. In the latter case, the color of the plate changes due to constant compression of the blood vessels supplying the nail. They burst and a hematoma forms. If you change your shoes, after two weeks the blackness will begin to lighten and change its hue to purple with a red tint | When injured, the nail hurts, the tissues surrounding it swell and become red. | The color of the hematoma changes, becomes lighter, and a new nail grows from below |
| Hemangioma | A benign tumor begins to grow under the nail plate, enveloped in a network of blood vessels. | Looks like darkening. The formation of a benign tumor does not cause pain to a person, it does not interfere with his walking, and its presence does not require the selection of special shoes. Hemangioma can disappear on its own without treatment, but this takes many years | The nail is not black, but red-brown in color |
| Dyes | Nails can change their color while staining with iodine or after taking a course of baths with potassium permanganate. In women, a common cause of darkening of the nail plates on the big toes is the use of low-quality varnishes. In men - increased sweating. Nail staining can also occur while wearing faded socks or shoes. | The nail darkens, it is not possible to remove the defect with solvents: the aggressive dye is able to penetrate into the deepest layers of the nail tissue, so to eliminate the defect you have to wait until the nail grows back completely | Eliminating the cause allows you to achieve recovery without the use of specialized therapy |
| Diabetes | In its advanced form, this disease leads to destabilization of metabolic processes. As a result, blood vessels suffer and blood circulation is impaired. | Black spots often appear on the big toes, and the plates themselves become severely delaminate and crumble. A person suffering from diabetes sweats profusely. His legs are often and seriously injured, all this together creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. That is why with the disease described, abscesses develop, which can result in gangrene and amputation of the fingers | Frequent urination, constant feeling of thirst, weight loss with good appetite, constant presence of weakness and fatigue, fatigue |
| Cardiovascular diseases | The thumbnail is dark blue rather than black. | Chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, dizziness |
Problems with blood circulation in the legs, diseases of the brain, central nervous system, and oncology can provoke the appearance of black spots (black spots appear on the plates, and over time their number may increase). That is why you cannot deal with the problem described on your own. There are other pathological changes that should attract attention.
Barely noticeable dark stripes located transversely to the nail plate indicate a lack of vitamins or the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Often this defect manifests itself in women who sit for a long time on strict restrictive diets. Doctors, when faced with such patients, recommend that they switch to a balanced diet, enrich it with vitamins, beneficial microelements, and fatty acids. The stains should disappear after this.
If this does not happen, if the black spot on the big toe nail is constantly increasing in size, it is necessary to undergo a full examination: subungual melanoma may be developing.
Brown spot on big toe nail
This symptom indicates that a person is not eating properly. It appears when there is a lack of protein and folic acid. The phenomenon provokes the release of black pigment, which accumulates in the capillaries that provide nutrition to the nail plates. Women often encounter this type of problem during pregnancy. Doctors advise not to worry about this. The developing fetus takes a large amount of nutrients from the mother’s body. As soon as the body adapts to the new operating conditions, everything will work out, the brown spots on the toes will disappear on their own.
There is a dark spot under the extended nail
The appearance of such a defect after a cosmetic procedure means one thing - it was carried out incorrectly, in violation of technological processes. Perhaps the specialist used unsterile instruments during his work or violated hygiene rules. The artificial material used in the extension process does not fit tightly onto the plate. A microscopic air layer forms between them. A fungus can settle inside it. There it feels very good, actively reproduces and infects free space.
There are signs that directly indicate the development of infection:
- redness of the affected area;
- severe pain that appears when you press the plate;
- blackness that appears when removing varnish.
If such manifestations are detected, you must immediately contact a more experienced pedicurist, get rid of the varnish, remove the extension and make an appointment with a dermatologist. He will be able to identify the causative agent of the infection and prescribe adequate treatment.
Diagnostics
The appearance of discoloration of the thumbnails should make everyone consult a dermatologist. He will collect anamnesis, scrape the affected area and, using microscopy, try to find out what caused the formation of an unsightly cosmetic defect. Only then will he be able to formulate an effective treatment.
Treatment methods
There are different therapeutic regimens to treat black spots on the toes. They are selected taking into account the cause of the disease.
Injury
If there has been trauma, complete removal of the plate is indicated. A hematoma can cause fluid to accumulate under the nail. It often causes purulent inflammation. A puncture or resection will help get rid of it. For treatment, you need to contact a traumatologist.
Sometimes timely first aid can prevent the occurrence of unwanted complications. If you wash your foot thoroughly immediately after an injury, dry it, and apply a cold compress to the nail, you may be able to avoid bruising. To reduce inflammation, it is useful to lubricate the sore spot with Heparin ointment in the first three days; it is important to bandage the injured nail and try not to touch it. To eliminate additional stress, experts recommend changing shoes to looser ones, in which the sore leg will feel more comfortable.
Even if the injury has caused the plate to move, you should not try to tear it off yourself. A product called “Nogtivit” will help speed up the process of its rejection. It is sold in pharmacies in two forms: as a patch and an emulsion. The first one is easier to use. Using the drug allows you to easily remove an injured nail at home.
Note! If a plate injury causes severe inflammation and severe pain that constantly intensifies, you cannot self-medicate. It will provoke a deterioration in overall health and lead to the development of dangerous complications.
Fungus
Detection of a fungal nature requires the prescription of systemic and local antimycotic agents. Diflucan, Mycomax, Irunin, and Lamisil are prescribed for oral administration. The choice of drug is made on the basis of deciphering laboratory tests that allow identifying the causative agent of the infection. To treat nails, use Ciclopirox varnish, Exoderil cream or solution.
The therapy is long-term: local treatment is carried out until the new nail grows completely. Recovery directly depends on how strictly the patient adheres to the proposed recommendations.
Diseases of internal organs
If damage to the nail plates occurs as a result of an internal disease, you need to visit your doctor and, together with him, draw up a treatment plan for the nail damage. Without eliminating the causes of the described cosmetic defect, any local therapy will be ineffective.
Dyes
Nails that have darkened after contact with coloring compounds can be whitened using folk remedies. Best suited for these purposes:
- Regular baking soda. Using powder and water, prepare a creamy mixture, apply it to washed nails and wait until completely dry. Afterwards, rinse and lubricate the plate with any vegetable oil.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Mix peroxide and glycerin in proportions 1:5, apply to the darkened nail and cover with a cotton swab. After ten minutes, rinse and lubricate with any nourishing cream.
It may be necessary to carry out several whitening procedures to achieve the desired result.
Preventing stains on nails
You can reduce the likelihood of black spots on your toes by adhering to the following rules:
- To avoid contracting a fungal infection, it is important to try not to wear someone else’s shoes when trying on a new pair in a store, wear socks when visiting a shared shower, sauna or pool, and bring your own flip-flops.
- Review all your shoes, refuse to wear a pair that causes significant discomfort during use (pinches, rubs the skin, creates painful pressure on the big toes).
- You should constantly maintain your immunity and monitor your overall health. From time to time it is necessary to take courses of vitamins and calcium, eat a balanced diet, maintain a work and rest schedule, play sports, and spend more time in the fresh air.
- Carefully monitor foot hygiene, do not allow your feet to be wet for a long time (fungi actively multiply in a humid environment).
Blackening of nails is a rare occurrence; if it occurs for obvious reasons, you should not be afraid of it. It is important to learn to recognize serious accompanying symptoms that indicate the development of internal pathologies, and if they are detected, seek medical help.
