A bruised toenail often happens after a stubbed toe, dropped object, tight shoe pressure, running, hiking, or sports. Sometimes it simply grows out. Other times, the bruising is a sign of nail-bed injury, pressure under the nail, or a toe fracture that should be checked.
What causes a black or bruised toenail?
Blood can collect under the nail after trauma or repeated pressure. This is often called a subungual hematoma. The nail may look purple, red, brown, or black, and the toe may throb if pressure builds under the nail.
- A dark spot or discoloration under the toenail
- Throbbing pressure after an injury
- Toe swelling, bruising, or trouble bearing weight
- A nail that loosens, cracks, or starts lifting
Why the injury matters
A bruised nail can happen by itself, but the same injury can also damage the nail bed or fracture the bone underneath. This is more important when the big toe is involved, the pain is significant, or the toe is not functioning normally.
When to get checked
Schedule an evaluation if the toe is very painful, swollen, deformed, draining, hard to walk on, or if the nail is lifting or badly damaged. Patients with diabetes, circulation problems, or reduced sensation should be more cautious with any toenail injury.
How TSB Podiatry approaches it
Dr. Boehm checks the nail, toe, and surrounding skin to determine whether the problem is limited to the nail or whether there is deeper injury. Treatment depends on pain, pressure, nail damage, infection risk, and whether the bone may be involved.
