Black Spot on Toenail: Causes, Treatments, and Home Remedies

Causes | Treatments | Home Remedies

Do you think you’re starting to develop a black spot on toenail? It is actually not surprising that you are panicking since it is already the sandals season. In other words, you will no longer be donning closed shoes.

Fortunately, you can take care of the problem. You simply have to learn more about the issue first. Aside from the treatment, you should also be cognizant of how the prevention of black spots development can be done.

Read the excerpt below for more information about the black spot on toenail:

Black Spot on Toenail Causes

In order to handle black spot on toenail properly, you should identify what caused it first. By doing so, you will be able to determine what correct measures to implement. Given below are common causes of the problem:

• Toenail Injury

If you found a dark spot under toenail, this is the first consideration you should make. This is due to dropping a heavy object on your nails. Alternatively, it may be due to stubbing your toe. Either way, this problem is characterized by the breakage of your nail capillaries.

A dark spot on toenail can develop after an accident involving your nail. If that is the case, you should establish what might have caused the injury. In such way, you will also find it easier to prevent it in the future.

• Subungual Hematoma

You may develop a black dot on toenail when this problem is involved. This is also considered to be a bleeding under a nail. Usually, this takes place, when your nail gets crushed during an incident.

Apart from the development of black spots on toenails, you may also suffer from throbbing pain due to this problem. Unless you have surrounding tissue damage or broken bone, this problem should not be a big worry.

Common instances that result to this issue are hitting your finger with a heavy object, slamming your finger in a door, and stubbing your toe on a hard surface.

There is another issue if you have not had an injury but still developed the black spot.

• Tight-Fitting Shoes

A black dot under toenail may be seen if you are often wearing tight-fitting footwear. This is a common problem among women, especially those that prefer stilettos. Without their awareness, their nails are slowly suffering from the constriction of blood circulation.

You must be reminded that aside from the development of discoloration under your nails, using tight shoes will also give you other foot problems. For instance, you may also develop bunions, hammer toes, corns, and crossover toes.

There are cases that when your foot issues become worse, you will have to undergo a surgical operation, which will definitely cost more than necessary.

• Pseudomonas Bacterial Infection

This possible cause of black spot on toenail is totally different from the aforementioned issues. This is due to the fact this developed because of a bacterium. This organism is found in plants, water and soil.

There are various symptoms associated with this bacterial infection. For instance, if the bacterium affects the skin, it may also cause the formation of an abscess. Furthermore, there is a possibility of draining wounds of skin redness.

Furthermore, Pseudomonas bacterial infection in the nails occur between the nail bed and the plate. Some may mistakenly identify it as a mold. However, you must know that a mold is never a human pathogen.

• Toenail Fungus

Another significant cause of black spot on toenail is toenail fungus. In truth, this problem affects around 14 percent of the population. It can also be categorized into various subtypes. One common kind of toenail fungus is the distal subungual onychomycosis.

The issue is characterized by the infection in the nail’s portion found near the tip. Alternatively, it may also be found on the underside part. Apart from the spots, the problem may cause brittleness and thickness of nails.

• Subungual Melanoma

Many experts also consider this as a probable cause of black spot under toenail. Normally, this issue affects the great toenail or thumb nail of a person. Nonetheless, this does not mean that it will not cause black spots in any finger.

The name of the problem explains that the melanoma develops from the nail matrix. You will notice this issue as a pigment band. After weeks or months, you will observe that the said band increases in size and becomes more irregular in pigmentation.

There are melanomas that start as light brown and there are ones that become darker over time. Apart from the discoloration, this problem may also cause bleeding or nodule development. It may also result to nail plate distortion.

• Toenail Injury or Trauma

It is apparent that black spot under toenail may develop when you suffer from an injury or accident. There are also patients who develop the dark spots under their nails due to repetitive trauma.

For instance, it is common to find a black spot under toenail of a runner. There are also cases that repetitive trauma can associate pain and nail plate damage when it becomes worse. Doctors also reported that there are repetitive traumas that cause the detachment of nails fully or partially.

Black Spot Under Toenail Treatments

You must be reminded that there are plenty of options to treat the black spots of your toenail. In other words, if you can mitigate the issue right away, you should do so. At present, there are over-the-counter and topical products available on the market.

Alternatively, there also gentle solutions around that can be added to a foot soak. The treatment may take time but it is worth the wait.

In case you are hesitant to use any treatment for your toenail discoloration, you can visit a doctor right away. If the underlying cause is identified, the physician will provide necessary measures to be done.

Home Remedies to Treat Dark Spots on Toenails

There are various solutions that can address the dark spots on your toenails, which include the following:

• Tea Tree Oil

For centuries, this essential oil has been used to address bacterial, fungal, and inflammatory problems. It has necessary components that work together in order to combat even the most aggressive form of fungus on your foot.

However, before using it, you must dilute it with an essential oil. In such way, you will be able to promote its further benefits. You may also use it as a nail polish.

• Apple Cider Vinegar

Many have used this solution since it is mild enough not to damage the nails and the surrounding skin of your toes. You can use this as a solution for toenail fungus and black spots by utilizing it as a foot soak.

There are people who use it for half an hour twice or twice every day. Alternatively, you may apply two drops of it onto the nail bed.

• Bleach

Do you know that you may also use household bleach in order to eradicate your toenail fungus? However, you should be reminded that this is not the option if you have a sensitive skin. There are risks associated with it, which is why you can only use a small amount of it.

You will use bleach as a soak with warm water. You must only focus on treating the infected toe and not the whole foot.

• Coconut Oil

This essential oil is regarded as a cheap and popular remedy for toenail fungus. It contains antifungal and antibacterial properties that make it capable of treating various conditions. Furthermore, it has the capability to replenish your nail and moisturize its surrounding skin.

It is very simple to use. You simply need to apply it to the nail bed, surrounding skin, and nails. Doing this two times every day will already enforce the recovery of your nails from fungus.

• Vinegar Soak

Similar to the way you will use apple cider vinegar, you may use this solution as a soak for your black spots on nails. Without necessarily changing the alkalinity or acidity of the fungus, it will be able to kill the organism.

• Baking Soda

This is a tried and tested solution if you are dealing with black spots on your nails. You simply have to mix some water and baking soda in a bowl. Afterward, you may soak your feet in the solution.

Baking soda has antifungal properties to eradicate your problem. Furthermore, it does wonders in eliminating the discoloration.

• Epsom Salt

You may use this remedy if you also want to get rid of the pain associated with the dark spots of your toenails. You simply have to mix ten cups of lukewarm water and approximately a quarter cup of Epsom salt. Use the resulting mixture as a foot soak.

With all these information, you will be able to prevent this problem from developing in the future. Alternatively, you will be able to eradicate the problem right away once its onset has been observed.

Instead of going to a physician right away, you may try out the home remedies first. In such way, you will be able to save effort and money.