Jul 30, 2013

Do Not Panic Over A Black Toenail

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By Jaxon Allingham


Every person has probably seen or even suffered from a black toenail. This painful little foot injury is very common among people who like to move a lot. It is fairly easy to treat as it is not a chronic ailment. However, if it is not attended to early, then it might turn into something serious.

There are many reasons in which one may get darkened toenails. The discoloration of this part is actually mainly because of a clot of a large amount of blood in the area under the nail. Of course the main cause would be that a large amount of force was put on the toe.

Athletes are very prone to blood clotting because of the excess pressure that they put on their feet. When their toes brush hard against their sneakers when they make fast leg movements, it sometimes presses too hard and cause circulation problems. Of course another cause would be when something heavy would fall down on the toe of a person. This not only causes a clot but also a bruise and a wound.

Fungus may also be a big factor of discoloration. When fungi grows inside the toenail, then it can also stop the blood circulation of that area. It might also cause wounds that will have infections.

Usually these discolorations will go away with time as long as they are not touched or aggravated. When the nail grows, the black part will also grow along with it and eventually disappear. However, if the pain is too much to handle, then an ice pack may be of use to reduce the swelling. Foot baths with warm water and Epsom salts can do wonders as well.

For those who have fungal growths, there are ways to treat it at home. It is best to use some anti fungal cream or ointment to treat it. Some types of mouthwash can also be used as herbal components are known to kill fungi. If that does not work, then go see a doctor.

Prevention is definitely better than cure so it is important to take note of what can cause a black toenail. Always wear comfortable footwear, do not let anything fall on the toe, and observe proper foot hygiene. Now if the problem still does occur, then one may use some of the home remedies stated above.




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