Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesRisk FactorsDiagnosisHome RemediesWhen to See a ProviderMedical TreatmentComplicationsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Home Remedies
When to See a Provider
Medical Treatment
Complications
Prevention
A bruised toenail is also known as asubungual hematoma, which is blood and fluid trapped beneath thetoenail. This gives the toenail a red, black, or purple discoloration. It is often calledblack toenailfor that reason.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Is a Subungual Hematoma?
A subungual hematoma occurs when blood becomes trapped under the nail. When blood pools up beneath the nail, it can appear red, blue, black, or purple.
The appearance of a subungual hematoma can range from a small, dark spot under the nail to a large area of discoloration. It can happen to toenails or fingernails.
Symptoms of a subungual hematoma can change as the blood builds up and more pressure is felt. Here’s what you can expect:
While the nail may fall off, often, it stays intact, and the blood fades as it grows out.
1:38Click Play to Learn More About Bruised Toenails
1:38
Click Play to Learn More About Bruised Toenails
Causes of a Bruised Toenail
Other Causes of a Black Toenail
The more active you are, the more you may be at risk for a subungual hematoma. However, other factors can increase the chances you develop this problem, including:
To determine if discoloration and pain are due to a subungual hematoma, your healthcare provider will examine the toenail and ask you questions about recent trauma, exposure to factors such as moisture, or behaviors that could cause problems such as picking at toenails.
If the condition seems severe, your provider may order X-rays or blood tests. This can help them see if there is a broken bone or infection contributing to the condition.
At-Home Treatments for a Bruised Toenail
Most subungual hematomas can be managed at home. If less than half of your nail is black and it is not causing any pain, you may not need to do anything to treat it. The nail may fall off on its own or simply grow out over time.
If your toenail is painful, you can treat it with conservative therapies such as the following:
After an injury, the nail bed can take between seven to 10 days to heal. However, if the injury was severe, the entire toenail itself may need 12 months to regrow. A lost fingernail can take between four to six months to grow back. This may take less time if the injury is minor.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If a subungual hematoma covers more than half your nail and is causing pain, medical treatment may be needed to drain the blood and relieve pressure under the nail. A large hematoma can be a sign that you have a subungual laceration.
If left untreated, a subungual hematoma or laceration could damage the nail matrix, the area from which the nail grows, causing it to grow incorrectly or not at all. These changes could be permanent.
If the nail is raised or cut, it could also increase the risk of afungal or bacterial infection.
It is especially important to see a healthcare provider for the following:
If you are unable to see a healthcare provider right away, bandage the nail and avoid trimming or cutting it.
If your nail is mostly or completely black, you might have a subungual laceration (tear or cut), which will requiremedical treatment. If your nail is raised and the injury happened less than 48 hours earlier, your healthcare provider may drill a hole to help drain blood and reduce pressure.If it is loose, the nail may be trimmed or even reattached to protect the nail bed while the nail is regrowing.
If your injury is severe or the nail is separating from your toe, your healthcare provider may decide to remove the nail.
You should avoid removing or drilling the injured nail yourself at home. Doing so could lead to infection and slow the healing process.
Nail damage may lead to changes in the nail’s structure. These changes may occur after an injury from a heavy object, chronic rubbing against the shoe, or in response to irritation from infections.
Some of the most common changes in nail structure are:
Preventing a Subungual Hematoma
Summary
Bleeding beneath the nail can happen after an injury, such as a heavy object landing on the toe or from chronic rubbing within your shoes. If it covers a large area of the toe or is painful, medical treatment may be needed to relieve pressure and help prevent permanent nail changes.
Sometimes bleeding under the nail can change the structure of the toenail for a period of time and may lead to the nail loosening or falling off. This is usually temporary, but if the trauma was severe, it may be permanent.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Subungual hematoma.Lee DK, Lipner SR.Optimal diagnosis and management of common nail disorders.Annals of Medicine.2022;54(1):694-712. doi:10.1080/07853890.2022.2044511Akella A, Daniel AR, Gould MB, Mangal R, Ganti L.Subungual hematoma.Cureus. 2023;15(11):e48952. doi:10.7759/cureus.48952MedlinePlus.Nail abnormalities.National Library of Medicine.Nail injuries.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Open fractures.Emergency Medicine Resident Education.Nail trauma.Montgomery A.Stem cell based delivery system in a non-regenerative nail injury model.Mozena J, Jones PC.Jogger’s toe: Is the sock the culprit?Podiatry Today.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Subungual hematoma.Lee DK, Lipner SR.Optimal diagnosis and management of common nail disorders.Annals of Medicine.2022;54(1):694-712. doi:10.1080/07853890.2022.2044511Akella A, Daniel AR, Gould MB, Mangal R, Ganti L.Subungual hematoma.Cureus. 2023;15(11):e48952. doi:10.7759/cureus.48952MedlinePlus.Nail abnormalities.National Library of Medicine.Nail injuries.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Open fractures.Emergency Medicine Resident Education.Nail trauma.Montgomery A.Stem cell based delivery system in a non-regenerative nail injury model.Mozena J, Jones PC.Jogger’s toe: Is the sock the culprit?Podiatry Today.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Subungual hematoma.Lee DK, Lipner SR.Optimal diagnosis and management of common nail disorders.Annals of Medicine.2022;54(1):694-712. doi:10.1080/07853890.2022.2044511Akella A, Daniel AR, Gould MB, Mangal R, Ganti L.Subungual hematoma.Cureus. 2023;15(11):e48952. doi:10.7759/cureus.48952MedlinePlus.Nail abnormalities.National Library of Medicine.Nail injuries.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Open fractures.Emergency Medicine Resident Education.Nail trauma.Montgomery A.Stem cell based delivery system in a non-regenerative nail injury model.Mozena J, Jones PC.Jogger’s toe: Is the sock the culprit?Podiatry Today.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Subungual hematoma.
Lee DK, Lipner SR.Optimal diagnosis and management of common nail disorders.Annals of Medicine.2022;54(1):694-712. doi:10.1080/07853890.2022.2044511
Akella A, Daniel AR, Gould MB, Mangal R, Ganti L.Subungual hematoma.Cureus. 2023;15(11):e48952. doi:10.7759/cureus.48952
MedlinePlus.Nail abnormalities.
National Library of Medicine.Nail injuries.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Open fractures.
Emergency Medicine Resident Education.Nail trauma.
Montgomery A.Stem cell based delivery system in a non-regenerative nail injury model.
Mozena J, Jones PC.Jogger’s toe: Is the sock the culprit?Podiatry Today.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
