Unless you’ve chosen black nail polish for your toenails, a black toenail is not desirable. Let’s explore where they come from, and how to make sure they go away.
What Causes Black Toenails?
Perhaps your new shoes worn without socks have caused black toenails. This happens because the tightness of the new shoe causes blood to gather under the nail and this turns it black.
A black toenail can also be the result of any trauma or injury, which can result from simple things like dropping objects.
However, the most common cause of black toenails is nail fungus. Fungal infections are mainly caused by unhygienic habits; however, fungus can also be spread from one person to another. For instance, people who use public showers are more likely to get fungal infections than people who don’t use public showers. Small micro-organisms known as dermatophytes cause fungal infections. They are very small organisms that require damp and warm conditions to thrive in. Sweaty or damp feet provide a conducive environment for the survival of the organism. This is why runners and joggers have to be careful to avoid wearing shoes without socks.
Effects of Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus will first cause nails to become yellowish and then turn brown, green or black. The nails will also thicken and become brittle.
How to Avoid Black Toenails
It goes without saying that prevention measures are better than finding a cure. There are several prevention measures which, if followed, can ensure that you never get toenail fungus. These prevention measures include the following:
- Always wear a pair of cotton socks to absorb sweat and keep your feet dry
- Ensure that your shoes are comfortable and do not put any pressure on your toes.
- Never wear unwashed socks and change them regularly. If they do get sweaty, switch onto a dry pair as soon as you can.
- Ensure that your toenails are cut short and never have space between them and the nail bed, for any fungus to form. Be careful while cutting the nails, as cutting them too short can lead to cuts on the skin which can lead to fungal infections.
- Slip into some casual slippers that will always ensure that your feet remain dry
Black Toenail Treatment
There are a lot of medications that are available that can treat black toenails. However, they also produce side effects that can damage liver and kidneys. Their success rate is not something that can be proudly held up for review. Beer is known to have strong anti-fungal properties and soaking black toenails in it can help to remove the fungus. There are natural medications that do help in treatment of nail fungus and which do not have any side effects. Still, it is much better if you concentrate on the preventive measures.
If the above remedies fail to work, there is a painless and effective option. Clear Toes Clinic has specialists who use a simple laser procedure to clear your toenails of unsightly toenail fungus. Once the procedure is complete, you will never have to worry about black toenails or toenail fungus ever again. For more information, visit cleartoesclinic.com.
