It is common for a nail to turn black after an injury. The black or purple-black color is caused by blood under the nail and will go away as the injury heals.
How long does a black fingernail last?
The discolored nail will eventually grow out — or in some cases it may fall off or need to be removed — and be replaced by a new, healthy one. This could take anywhere from about eight weeks for a fingernail to six months for a toenail.
How do you get rid of dark nails?
If your nails are stained after using dark colored nail polish, wipe away the nail polish using a nail polish remover. Then use a nail scrub brush to scrub off the stains from your nails. You can also soak a cotton pad in acetone to scrub your nails.
How do you treat a black fingernail?
A doctor may perform a procedure called nail trephination to drain the blood from under the nail. This can help to relieve pain and pressure. The doctor will make a small hole in the nail with a laser or needle. Afterward, the area may be wrapped with a bandage and may continue to drain for up to 3 days.
What does it mean when your fingernails turn black?
Some types of bacteria, as well as fungal infection of the nail, can also produce melanin that discolours the nails. Nicotine stains from cigarettes, certain medicated lotions and dirt can also stain our nails. Injuries or ill-fitting shoes can cause bleeding under the nail, making it appear black.
Can fingernails show signs of illness?
Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.
What happens if you leave blood under your nail?
In addition to discoloration, blood under the nail can result in pressure and pain, which can be relieved by a primary care physician or podiatrist (i.e., “foot doctor”). Delayed treatment can result in nail deformity or infection.
What happens if your fingernail turns black?
It is common for a nail to turn black after an injury. The black or purple-black color is caused by blood under the nail and will go away as the injury heals. Black, brown, or purple discoloration under a nail that has not been injured may be caused by melanoma.
How do you release blood from under your nail?
– Straighten a paper clip, and heat the tip in a flame until it is red-hot.
– Place the tip of the paper clip on the nail and let it melt through. …
– Do not push or apply pressure on the paper clip. …
– Go slowly, and reheat the clip as necessary. …
– As soon as the hole is complete, blood will escape and the pain will be relieved.
What can a doctor tell by looking at your fingernails?
Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.
What disease causes black fingernails?
Melanonychia is caused when the pigment cells, called melanocytes, deposit melanin into the nail. Melanin is a brown colored pigment. These deposits are usually grouped together. As your nail grows, it causes the stripe of brown or black to appear on your nail.
What to do when you smash your fingernail and it turns black?
– Straighten a paper clip, and heat the tip in a flame until it is red-hot.
– Place the tip of the paper clip on the nail and let it melt through. …
– Do not push or apply pressure on the paper clip. …
– Go slowly, and reheat the clip as necessary. …
– As soon as the hole is complete, blood will escape and the pain will be relieved.
Why would a doctor look at your fingernails?
Everything from poor diet and stress to serious kidney problems can be revealed by a glance at your fingernails. There are about 30 different nail signs that can be associated with medical issues, though many may indicate more than one problem, according to Dr.
What happens when you smash your finger and it turns black?
After a day or two, blood will likely start to build up under your nail. You might see the nail turning color—usually dark blue or black—and feel a lot of pressure. This is what happens when a bruise is contained in the tiny space at the tip of a finger.
What causes fingernails to turn black?
Some types of bacteria, as well as fungal infection of the nail, can also produce melanin that discolours the nails. Nicotine stains from cigarettes, certain medicated lotions and dirt can also stain our nails. Injuries or ill-fitting shoes can cause bleeding under the nail, making it appear black.
How do you get rid of a black fingernail?
– Straighten a paper clip, and heat the tip in a flame until it is red-hot.
– Place the tip of the paper clip on the nail and let it melt through. …
– Do not push or apply pressure on the paper clip. …
– Go slowly, and reheat the clip as necessary.
Will blood under fingernail disappear?
A minor subungual hematoma usually heals over time without treatment. The trapped blood will eventually be reabsorbed, and the dark mark will disappear. This can take 2–3 months for a fingernail, and up to 9 months for a toenail.
What does it mean when your nails are dark?
Dark spots or streaks rather than full discoloration of the nails may be caused by bruising, psoriasis, melanoma (a type of skin cancer), chronic infections, and medications such as from cancer chemotherapy.
Can a smashed finger cause a blood clot?
A blood clot can form after a trauma to the finger damages blood vessels or breaks a bone. Examples include: a heavy object falling on the fingers, like when you accidentally hit your finger with a hammer. a crush injury, such as when you get your finger caught in a car door.
What happens when u bleed under your nail?
Your doctor may call it a “subungual hematoma” if you have bleeding under a fingernail or toenail. It usually happens if the nail gets crushed in an injury. It can cause symptoms such as intense pain and throbbing as blood collects under the nail.
What causes nails to turn black?
Some types of bacteria, as well as fungal infection of the nail, can also produce melanin that discolours the nails. Nicotine stains from cigarettes, certain medicated lotions and dirt can also stain our nails. Injuries or ill-fitting shoes can cause bleeding under the nail, making it appear black.