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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain And Discoloration On The Toe Nail?

I did a race in the begging of July and noticed a few days later one of my toenail was blackish and hurt a little. Eventually the color faded and I checked it today and the nail is lifting like it wants to fall off. I clipped it down as far as I can to prevent it from snagging on anything. Will it fall off on its own? Will it grow back normally and how long?
Mon, 14 Aug 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello
I understand your concern.

Black toe nail can be due to trauma or fungal infection of nail because of underlying cause like diabetes.
In your case,the cause seems to be of trauma as it followed after you had race few days back.Black colour is due to minute bleeding spots at nail bed due to blunt trauma.Yes,you will get a new nail after this one falls off.

You just need to let the nail fall of it own.
Analgesics like acetaminophen twice orally for 3 days for pain relief.
Wear close fitting shoes especially while running.
keep the nail clean and dry.

If the new nail growing is still of black colour,or colour spreads to surrounding skin,consultation with dermatologist is needed.You may need local examination and certain blood investigations to rule out other possibilities I mentioned.

Hope this information helps.
Feel free to ask any more query if you have.
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What Causes Pain And Discoloration On The Toe Nail?

Hello I understand your concern. Black toe nail can be due to trauma or fungal infection of nail because of underlying cause like diabetes. In your case,the cause seems to be of trauma as it followed after you had race few days back.Black colour is due to minute bleeding spots at nail bed due to blunt trauma.Yes,you will get a new nail after this one falls off. You just need to let the nail fall of it own. Analgesics like acetaminophen twice orally for 3 days for pain relief. Wear close fitting shoes especially while running. keep the nail clean and dry. If the new nail growing is still of black colour,or colour spreads to surrounding skin,consultation with dermatologist is needed.You may need local examination and certain blood investigations to rule out other possibilities I mentioned. Hope this information helps. Feel free to ask any more query if you have.