The phenomenon of blackening of the nail plate occurs in both sexes. The symptoms are not accompanied by pain, as a result of which people simply do not pay attention to this problem. Most often, the big toe turns black, which is directly related to the causes of the phenomenon. Women have found a way out: they simply paint their nails with varnish, which hides all defects.
But if a problem arises, you should understand that a blackened nail may indicate the presence of a serious disease. If you find that your leg or arm has turned black for no apparent reason, you should immediately contact a dermatologist. Why darkening occurs, as well as the features of treatment of resulting diseases, we will find out in more detail.
Initially, it should be noted that a black toenail is not a reason to despair. After all, such a phenomenon does not always indicate the presence of serious diseases. To refute the presence of dangerous pathologies, you need to visit a doctor who will determine the cause and make a diagnosis. It is also important to understand that the sooner you see a doctor, the more effective the treatment and recovery process.
There are a number of factors according to which the development of this pathology is observed, such as blackening of the nail plate. By determining the cause of this phenomenon, you can understand whether treatment is required. There are two main categories that provoke the development of the disease:
Let us consider in more detail what is related to the external factors of blackening of the plates, and what to the internal ones.
One of the popular reasons for darkening of a toenail or fingernail is injury. This can be a blow with a finger on something, as a result of which a gradual change in color occurs due to a burst vessel. Changing the color of a nail to black by injuring a finger is nothing more than a bruise. For a woman, a minor bruise is enough for darkening to occur. You can injure your nail if:
If you do not remember a case in which an injury could occur, then the cause of the blackening of the nail should be looked for in the shoes. Wearing uncomfortable and constricting shoes leads to various defects on the feet, and darkening of the plate is a likely signal of this.
You can determine the reason for the color change by the following signs:
If a woman is sure that the cause of the blackening of the nail lies directly in the injury to the finger, then there is no need to go to the hospital. After about a month, the nail will become the same as before, depending on the nature of the damage. If the injury was serious, the nail may even become damaged and will need to be removed.
Reviews from women also indicate that the cause of blackening of the nail plate is varnish. This occurs exclusively in cases where a woman buys cheap and low-quality cosmetics. Many people also ask another popular question: why do fingernails turn black? Poor-quality varnish is the main cause of blackening of the nail plate. In this case, a complex change in their color is observed.
A blackened toenail may indicate the presence of a fungal disease called mycosis. This disease is quite widespread among both men and women. The presence of a fungal disease can be determined by the following characteristic symptoms:
These symptoms indicate that the darkening of the nail is directly related to a fungal infection. To avoid further progression of the disease, you need to consult a dermatologist. Only timely measures taken to treat the fungus can help solve the problem with the darkened plate.
Another factor that can cause your toenail to turn black is a benign tumor. A tumor is a more serious disease than a fungus. Constant discomfort in the area of the darkened nail indicates that the tumor is progressing. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, amputation will likely result.
A black toenail may also indicate that a person has liver health problems. Its damage sometimes manifests itself in the form of darkening of the nail plates of the extremities.
Why do women's toenails turn black if all of the above factors do not apply? There are several other types of reasons why the plates in women darken exclusively on the big toes:
Treatment for darkening of nails should be carried out based on the reasons that provoked it. If injury is the culprit, there is no need for treatment unless the nail is seriously damaged.
To speed up the healing process and avoid development, it is necessary to use antiseptic drugs for treatment, and at the first signs of bacterial infection, use antibiotics. How and what treatment is required depends on the type and nature of the injury. In this case, the best option is to visit a doctor, who, after an examination, will tell you how and with what you can speed up the healing process.
If the causes of darkening of the nail are associated with a fungal infection, then treatment should be started immediately. There are various ways to do this: medication or folk therapy.
The following types of medications should be trusted as pharmacological drugs:
Treatment of fungus is also carried out using traditional methods, but initially you need to consult a doctor about the possibility of such therapy. In any case, if you notice darkening of the nail, you should not hide the problem under varnish, but must immediately take appropriate measures.