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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

toenail is black and blue

by Brooke
(Pennsylvania)

At the end of June, I stubbed the toe next to my big toe. Right where the nail begins to grow. It's now September, and it's still black and blue at the top. It doesn't hurt or bleed or anything, it's just ugly. What should I do?

ANSWER

Hi Brooke,

When there is trauma to a nail such as in your case of stubbing it, what happens is there may be bleeding underneath the nail as the result of the nail being jammed back into the toe, thus lifting the nail slightly and causing it to bleed.
In more severe cases there can be so much bleeding that pain can ensue as well as the possibility of infection.
Your case is the more common situation. We also see this in runners, tennis players, basketball players, etc. where the constant jamming of the toe into the sneaker causes the same effect.
Here is what I would recommend.
If the toes does not hurt leave it alone. Nails can take months to fully grow out. What you should be seeing is a gradual movement forward of the discoloration with clear nail behind it.
Eventually the discolored nail will grow forward and will be replaced by normal nail.
Now, if for some reason this does not occur with you then you will need to have the nail examined by a podiatrist.
Since there was a history of trauma, it is same to assume that the discoloration was the result of the trauma, however, in some cases discoloration of the nail can be due to a growth on the nail bed.
So over time if the nail does not improve, the nail may have to be removed in order for the doctor to examine the nail bed to make sure there is nothing abnormal going on.
Again, because of the history of trauma, I do not think there is a growth on the nail bed, but the trauma may have damaged the growth plate of the nail and that may have to be explored as well.
It is now about three months since the trauma. I would give it another two months or so. If the nail does not appear to be improving then it might be time for a podiatrist to take a look at it to make sure there is nothing else going on.
Because the problem is occurring underneath the nail there is nothing you can really do for it on your own, other than applying nail polish to cover the discoloration.
As a side note, if you eventually have to seek medical care make sure you remove any nail polish prior to the visit.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

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Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Wonderful advice

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This is the best site for foot problem info.

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location unknown

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Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

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location unknown

toenail is black and blue

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