A bruised nail can have many causes (impact, repeated trauma, fungal infection, subungual melanoma, etc.) and take different forms (spot, dot, line, strip). Fortunately, in most cases it is benign and easy to treat if properly cared for. Here’s how to treat a bruised nail and prevent recurrence, especially for runners.
Why is my nail bruised?
There are several possible causes for a bruised nail:
- Impact: the nail may have been injured, causing a subungual haematoma, which explains the black or blue colouring. To be sure, keep an eye on how the spot evolves. If it moves up as the nail grows back, it is indeed a haematoma.
- Repeated trauma due to sports: after exercise or sports, lesions may appear on the feet and nails. The big toe is often the most exposed, with redness, swelling and streaks on the nail.
- Fungal infection: although nail fungus is usually yellow or white, it can cause a black spot under the nail plate, making it look bruised. This is debris formed by the fungus.
- Subungual melanoma (skin cancer): the appearance of black streaks or irregular spots on a nail can be due to melanoma, and cause pain and/or bleeding.
- Chemotherapy treatment: certain chemotherapy treatments can cause the nail to darken and then fall off completely (onychoptosis).
- Subungual pigmentation: uniform, symmetrical black spots on the nails are simply due to pigmentation (melanonychia) and pose no health risk. This pigmentation is more common in people with dark skin.
- Diabetes: a nail, and more generally a toe, can turn black in diabetic patients. This is known as necrosis.
How to treat a bruised nail?
A toenail or fingernail can turn black and look bruised with or without trauma, so the choice of treatment will depend primarily on the diagnosis.
If you are convinced that it is indeed a subungual haematoma, you can apply a treatment for bruised nails such as PODERM® Bruised Nails Serum, which nourishes, repairs and prevents bruised nails caused by everyday activities such as running or a crushed finger.
If left untreated, a subungual haematoma can leave a space between the nail and the nail bed, which could favour the development of a fungal infection. This is because damaged nails no longer provide protection against infection. The risk of contamination is therefore higher.
Although it is sometimes recommended to pierce the bruised nail with a paper clip to let blood spill out, we strongly advise against it. This is because it risks letting bacteria under the nail or permanently deforming it. This technique should also be avoided if your tetanus vaccination is not up to date.
If the bruise is large and causes severe pain, you should see your GP or a podiatrist immediately, as they will be able to drain the blood safely using adequate instruments.
If the cause of the spot, line or dot remains unknown, see a specialist as soon as possible and remember to take regular photos to monitor its evolution. This will provide valuable information for the specialist.
In the case of fungus, the specialist may prescribe a fungal nail treatment to prevent it from taking hold or spreading.
In the case of melanoma, exams must be carried out to assess the type and stage of the disease, and decide on the appropriate treatment (surgery, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, etc.).
What should I do if a bruised nail is painful?
A painful bruised nail does not always require seeing a specialist.
For instance, if you caught your finger in a door and a black spot appears soon after due to blood effusion, the finger will remain painful for a few days and you might experience a hot sensation, redness, swelling and/or throbbing. These are normal reactions related to blood pressure.
However, if the pain does not subside after a few days or is difficult to bear, you should see a dermatologist or podiatrist.
This is especially true if there is some nail separation or if you feel that it might fall off. In this case, the nail matrix may have been damaged and require expert care to prevent abnormal regrowth or no regrowth at all.
How long does a nail remain bruised after an impact?
A bruised nail caused by a minor blow will take several weeks to several months to heal completely, depending on how long it takes for the nail to grow back. If the black spot is located at the tip of the nail, it will of course disappear more quickly.
In some cases, particularly among athletes and people who exercise regularly, the nail may remain black permanently and even fall off. This is a normal process. Applying PODERM® Bruised Nails Serum will help strengthen it and promote healthy regrowth.
How can I conceal a bruised nail?
The simplest solution to conceal a bruised nail is to apply nail care polish. This will help aesthetically – by applying elegant colouring on top of the bruise – and promote healthier regrowth.
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Color Care Tea Tree Nail Polish - Cherry Red
Regular price 16,50€Sale price 16,50€ Regular priceUnit price perPurifies and nourishes yellow and damaged nails
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Color Care Tea Tree Nail Polish - Black Red
Regular price 16,50€Sale price 16,50€ Regular priceUnit price perPurifies and nourishes yellow and damaged nails
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Color Care Tea Tree Nail Polish - Parma
Regular price 16,50€Sale price 16,50€ Regular priceUnit price perPurifies and nourishes yellow and damaged nails
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Color Care Tea Tree Nail Polish - Pink
Regular price 16,50€Sale price 16,50€ Regular priceUnit price perPurifies and nourishes yellow and damaged nails
How can I avoid bruised nails during sports?
Regular physical activity such as running or hiking can cause blood vessels to rupture and lead to benign but painful subungual haematomas.
To avoid bruising your toenails when running, we recommend:
- Cutting your nails correctly and regularly
- Treating blisters to avoid compensating for them in your posture
- Wearing shoes that fit well and are suitable for the sporting activity in question. Don’t hesitate to ask a professional for advice on finding the right size for you
- Investing in “technical” socks that limit perspiration
- Taking off your shoes and wash your feet after exercise. A cold foot bath can provide relief. Always dry your feet thoroughly. Let them breathe as much as possible, even go barefoot when you’re home to prevent fungal infections. Indeed these thrive in damp conditions, often between the toes, and are a very common issue among runners, typically referred to as “athlete’s foot”
- Using silicone pads or adhesive tape on the affected toe to absorb impact
- Applying a nourishing serum and massaging your feet after exercise
- Seeing a podiatrist regularly for targeted foot care and healthy nails
