What does a black spot under the fingernail mean?
Red or black spots may be splinter hemorrhages associated with endocarditis. The spots may be subungual hematomas from trauma or a fingernail injury. It can also be a skin cancer like melanoma or squamous cell cancer. If you aren’t feeling well, or if it doesn’t go away, call your doctor.
Why does my toe have a black spot?
Nail Trauma: If you’ve recently injured the area, the black spot under the nail may be a type of bruise referred to as a subungual hematoma. As a result of an injury, blood pools under the nail leading to discoloration. This type of hematoma is commonly caused by stubbing a toe or from sports trauma.
What is melanoma nail?
Toenail melanoma is another name for subungual melanoma. It’s an uncommon form of skin cancer that develops underneath the fingernail or toenail. Subungual means “under the nail.” Toenail fungus is a more common condition that occurs from the overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail.
What does melanoma look like under the fingernail?
Subungual melanoma often starts as a brown or black streak under a toenail or fingernail. A person may mistake it for a bruise. Share on Pinterest A bruised nail, and dark streaks or stains on the nail with no known cause, may be signs of subungual melanoma.
How common is melanoma under nail?
Subungual melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that occurs in the skin under your nails. Subungual melanomas are rare, seen in only 0.07% to 3.5% of the people in the world who have melanoma.
What causes black spots under fingernails?
Black spots under fingernails. A subungual hematoma is the most likely cause of black spots under fingernails. A subungual hematoma can be found under fingernails or toenail. It often constitutes an accumulation of blood caused by trauma.
What causes black spots under my toenails?
If your toenail turns black, it’s most likely a bruise under the nail, technically called a subungual hematoma . You can get it from stubbing a toe or from footwear that cram your feet into the front of the shoe. The bruise usually starts out red, then becomes purple, dark brown, and finally black when blood beneath the nail pools and clots.
What happens if a nail turns black?
If your nail turns black after it has been smashed it will grow a new nail under the old one. Eventually, the old one will come off. After the old is gone, the new one may be somewhat wavy. The wavy part will grow out and your nail will be normal again.
Could black spot under the toenail be fungus?
Black spot toenail fungus can be the result of a nail fungus known as onychomycosis. The spot is often seen with brittle toenails with a yellowish hue color. This condition requires an antifungal treatment or a specialized nail polish with medical components.