black nail

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Blackening of the toe-nail near its base is quite a common injury among runners and other athletes. It can be very painful and is often accompanied by joint swelling. Black nail is often caused by wearing shoes that are too short or too wide. The foot slides forwards, especially on dry, artificial turf, and jams against the end of the shoe. It may also develop from a direct blow to the toe. The damaged nail, blackened by bruising, dies. The underlying nail grows and displaces the black nail which eventually drops off. Nail injuries can be prevented by wearing well-fitting shoes but if such injuries occur, the pain can be relieved by inserting a heated, sterilized needle through the nail. This creates a hole which releases the blood and reduces the pressure. The procedure should be performed by a medically qualified person!

Blackening of the toenail near its base. It may be very painful and accompanied by swelling. Black nail is commonly caused by the patient's shoe being too short or too wide so that the foot slides forwards and jams against the end of the shoe, especially on dry, artificial turf. Black nail may also be caused by a direct blow to the toe. The nail later dies and grows out, with the black area growing away from the nail bed and eventually dropping off. Black nail can be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes. It can be treated by inserting a heated, sterilized pin (or the end of a paper clip) through the nail to create a hole that releases the blood. See also turf-toe syndrome.