The functioning of our daily lives depends on every body part. Even the smallest parts of us, like our toenails, are important and can reveal any potential health problems.

Have you ever experienced bruising on the toenail? Bruised nails occur from trauma, whether it is a direct blunt force trauma (like dropping something or kicking it against the bed leg) or from repetitive trauma (like the toe hitting the end of the shoe throughout a marathon).

The causes and remedies for toenail bruising are discussed further down the page.

Causes Of A Bruised Toenail

We may develop bruised toenails as a result of trauma to our toenails. When the blood vessels under your nails are damaged, it can result in a bruised toenail, also known medically as a Subungual Hematoma.

Blood vessels will burst and bleed when under pressure from an injury. Some ways you can injure your toenail include:

• Crushing your toes by dropping something heavy on them
• Ramming your foot into an object
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Running routinely in areas downhill

Athletes frequently sustain bruised toenails, particularly those who participate in basketball, tennis, and soccer. Athletes in these sports must run and stop frequently, which wears down their feet.

Read More: What Causes A Black Toenail?

What Do Bruised Toenails Look Like?

A bruised toenail is pretty apparent because of two things:

1. Pain. Most of the time, pain from trauma to your toenails can last for a few days.
2. Color. Under your toenails, blood leaks out when blood vessels rupture. There will be spots that start out reddish, and change to purple, dark brown, and then black.

You might occasionally be beating on your poor toenails without necessarily injuring them. White streaks on your toenails are a sign of the trauma because the blood vessels are damaged but do not break.

If your toenails haven’t experienced any trauma but have turned black, you should go to the doctor and make sure it’s not a rare cause of:

• Melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer
• Chronic ingrown nails

How To Treat A Bruised Toenail?

Most of the time, treating Runner’s Toe or a bruised toenail from running doesn’t require much effort. You should be able to keep running as long as your black toenail isn’t in pain. It’s crucial not to pull the toenail out, though. Just keep it trimmed, and make sure you’re wearing fresh socks. If you fear infection, soak the foot in warm salt water.

The importance of soaking will increase if the toenail does fall off. When the nail comes off, the majority of medical professionals advise washing the toe in warm, soapy water, applying an antibiotic ointment, and dressing it with a sterile bandage.

Change the dressing at least once per day, typically after a shower or whenever it appears dirty or wet, by following the same procedure. Drying off the area is important, and you should keep an eye out for any signs of infection. Healing could take one or two weeks.

Tags: Bruised Toenail