When injured, the toenail will often appear black or purple as blood collects under the nail, which is called subungual hematoma. The blood puts pressure on the nail, which may fall off after several weeks.

Will my toenail fall off if it is bruised?

Unless the area of bleeding is very small, an affected nail will usually fall off on its own after several weeks because the pooled blood has separated it from its bed.

How long does a black and blue toenail last?

The discolored nail will eventually grow out — or in some cases it may fall off or need to be removed — and be replaced by a new, healthy one. This could take anywhere from about eight weeks for a fingernail to six months for a toenail.

How do you know if your toenail is going to fall off?

Are there warning signs before my toenail will fall off?

1. Yellow, brown or white discoloration.
2. Thickening of the nail.
3. Discharge.
4. Odor.
5. And in some cases, swelling and pain.

How do you keep a bruised toenail from falling off?

Trim your toenails straight across (instead of rounding them off) and keep them even with the edges of your toes. Make sure your shoes are a thumb's width longer than your longest toe. Wear steel-toed boots or shoes if you work in an area that increases your risk of having something heavy fall on your feet.

What To Do if Your Toenail Falls Off

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Will black toenail grow out?

Black Toenail: Common Causes

The bruise usually starts out red, then becomes purple, dark brown, and finally black when blood beneath the nail pools and clots. Expect your black toenail to grow out in about 6 to 9 months or longer.

How do you treat a bruised big toenail?

Bruised toenails cause pain due to the swelling that happens when it is injured. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), you can alleviate the pain of a bruised toenail with “rest, ice, elevation, and compression of the toe”. The ice will contribute to the reduction of the swelling.

Will a dead toenail fall off on its own?

If you have a damaged toenail, you might be tempted to remove it yourself. But while damaged toenails sometimes fall off on their own, it's not a good idea to force that process. Removing a damaged toenail yourself could lead to serious complications that end up making matters worse.

What does an injured toenail look like?

When injured, the toenail will often appear black or purple as blood collects under the nail, which is called subungual hematoma. The blood puts pressure on the nail, which may fall off after several weeks.

Will my nail fall off after smashing it?

If this pressure becomes severe, the fingernail may fall off. In most cases, though, your fingernail will remain in place, but you may notice discoloration around the site of the injury. The bruise will remain visible for a few months until the affected portion of the nail grows out.

What do you do with a black and blue toenail?

Over-the-counter ointments, creams, and polishes are usually effective. Severe cases may require a prescription antifungal treatment. If a black toenail is caused by an injury, the resulting spot from broken blood vessels will disappear once your nail grows out.

What happens if you don't drain blood under nail?

If left untreated, a simple subungual hematoma typically grows out with the lengthening nail plate and resolves on its own, although sometimes subungual hematomas can result in your nail falling off (onycholysis).

How do you remove a nail that fell off?

How is it treated?

1. File any sharp edges smooth, or trim the nail. ...
2. Trim off the detached part of a large tear, or leave the nail alone. ...
3. Use scissors to remove the detached part of the nail if the nail is partly attached.
4. Soak your finger or toe in cold water for 20 minutes after trimming the nail.

Should I go to the doctor if my toenail is falling off?

If you aren't comfortable tending to the nail yourself or think the damage is serious, call your doctor or a podiatrist. Go to an urgent care center or emergency room when: The tear is too far down for you to trim. The base or sides of the nail are pulling away or already detached from the nail bed or nail folds.

How long does bruised toenail last?

A minor subungual hematoma usually heals over time without treatment. The trapped blood will eventually be reabsorbed, and the dark mark will disappear. This can take 2–3 months for a fingernail, and up to 9 months for a toenail.

How long does it take a toenail to fall off?

As blood builds up under your nail, it may separate from your nail bed. It can take several weeks for your toenail to completely fall off.

What does a purple toenail mean?

Injuries. If you've recently dropped something on your foot or stubbed your toe on something, your nail discoloration could be a symptom of a subungual hematoma. This injury can also result from wearing shoes that are too tight. Subungual hematomas can make your nail appear red or purple.

Will a dead toenail grow out?

After a nail separates from the nail bed for whatever reason, it will not reattach. A new nail will have to grow back in its place. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.

How do I know if my toe is broken or just bruised?

If it hurts the rest of the day and longer, you may have a fracture. When you stub your toe, it's normal to expect some bruising and even some blood under the toenail. But, if the discoloration lasts for a few days, if it spreads, or if it seems like there is too much blood under the nail, you might have a broken toe.

How can I remove a toenail myself?

If you choose to remove the toenail yourself, follow these steps for accuracy:

1. Soak your foot in Epsom salt or Castile soap for 30 minutes to soften the toenail. ...
2. Wash your hands. ...
3. Push the skin back from the nail border. ...
4. Cut the toenail straight across, starting at the toenail edges.

What do you do with a dead toenail?

Usually, you don't need to see a doctor for a dead toenail. Most injured toenails turn black, fall off on their own, and simply grow back over time without additional medical treatment. However, our podiatrist in Potomac, MD, cautions that you need to see a doctor if the toenail becomes infected.

Is it painful to have a toenail removed?

Nail surgery can be done in your doctor's office. Before it starts, your doctor numbs the area around your nail. If you've ever had your gums numbed at the dentist's, it's very similar. You'll be awake for the surgery, but you won't feel any pain.

How does a black nail grow out?

Repetitive trauma

In mild cases, the black toenail will grow out naturally over time without treatment. In severe cases, such as when the nail begins to detach from the nail bed, a person should seek medical treatment.

How do you cure a black toenail?

Over-the-counter ointments, creams, and polishes are usually effective. Severe cases may require a prescription antifungal treatment. If a black toenail is caused by an injury, the resulting spot from broken blood vessels will disappear once your nail grows out.

What happens when your nail turned black?

It is common for a nail to turn black after an injury. The black or purple-black color is caused by blood under the nail and will go away as the injury heals. Black, brown, or purple discoloration under a nail that has not been injured may be caused by melanoma.