\n83%<\/td>\n | Percentage of people who waited over 6 months to get their suspicious toenail checked out, according to a 2022 study in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology. Don’t make this mistake – schedule an appointment as soon as you notice a persistent color change or odd symptom in your nail.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n While a purple toenail may end up being harmless in some cases, it’s always wise to have it evaluated by a doctor when unusual color or symptoms show up<\/b>. Getting a professional diagnosis for the cause will provide either peace of mind or early detection\/treatment for any underlying condition.<\/p>\nDiagnosing the Cause of a Purple Toenail<\/h2>\nMedical History and Physical Exam<\/h3>\n When trying to diagnose the cause of a purple toenail, the doctor will first take a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam. They will ask about any recent trauma to the toe, pain levels, changes in appearance, and the timeline of when symptoms started.<\/p>\n Doctors will look for signs of fungal infection like thickened nails or debris under the nail. They will also feel for toenail tenderness and look for redness or swelling around the toe that could indicate an infection.<\/p>\n The physical exam can help narrow down the possible causes and guide further testing if needed.<\/p>\n Fungal Test<\/h3>\nIf a fungal infection is suspected, the doctor may collect a nail clipping or nail scrapings to send to the lab for a fungal test. This involves looking at the nail under a microscope or growing the fungus in a culture to identify it.<\/p>\n A positive test would confirm the purple toenail is caused by a fungal infection. Fungal testing is important for determining the proper treatment. Topical or oral antifungal medication would be prescribed for fungal purple toenails.<\/p>\n Biopsy<\/h3>\nIn some cases if the cause remains uncertain, the doctor may perform a toenail biopsy. This involves numbing the toe area with a local anesthetic and using a scalpel to remove a small piece of the toenail. The sample is sent to a lab where it is examined under a microscope by a pathologist.<\/p>\n A biopsy can help identify or rule out a fungal or bacterial infection, nail trauma, purple toenail syndrome, melanoma, and other pigmented lesions. Though uncomfortable, a biopsy is the most definitive way to determine what is behind a persistent purple toenail when the diagnosis is unclear.<\/p>\n Diagnosing a purple toenail involves gathering the patient’s history and a thorough physical exam of the toe. From there, further testing like a fungal test or biopsy may be warranted if the cause is still unknown.<\/p>\n Determining the underlying problem is crucial for then providing the appropriate treatment to resolve the purple discoloration. With the right diagnosis, most causes of a purple toenail can be effectively managed.<\/p>\n Treatment Options for a Purple Toenail<\/h2>\nMinor Injury Treatments<\/h3>\nIf your purple toenail is caused by a minor injury like stubbing your toe, you can treat it at home. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and bruising. Bandage the toe to protect it while it heals. Over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain.<\/p>\n Keep the toenail clean and dry to prevent infection. You may lose part or all of the nail, but it will grow back once the injury heals.<\/p>\n Medications for Fungal Infections<\/h3>\nIf a fungal infection is causing the purple toenail, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication like terbinafine or itraconazole. These medications work by killing the fungus causing the infection. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed, usually for 6 to 12 weeks.<\/p>\n It may take several months for the infection to be fully cured and a healthy new nail to grow in. Over-the-counter antifungal creams and polishes are not generally strong enough to cure fungal nail infections.<\/p>\n Surgery and Other Procedures<\/h3>\nIn severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove part or all of the infected purple toenail. This allows the nail bed to heal so a new healthy nail can grow back. Other procedures like laser treatments or photodynamic therapy may also be options.<\/p>\n These use light energy to activate a photosensitizing chemical applied to the nail. The activated chemical kills fungus by producing a highly reactive form of oxygen.<\/p>\n If the purple toenail is due to melanoma or other serious conditions, more advanced treatments like chemotherapy medications or radiation may be necessary. Catching these conditions early leads to better outcomes.<\/p>\n Preventing Future Purple Toenails<\/h2>\nTaking steps to prevent purple toenails from recurring can help avoid discomfort, embarrassment, and potential infections. With some adjustments to footwear, nail care, and treatment of underlying conditions, those plagued by purple nails can nip the problem in the bud.<\/p>\n Wear Appropriate Footwear<\/h3>\nIll-fitting shoes are one of the prime culprits behind purple toenails. Shoes that are too tight squeeze the toes together and put excess pressure on the nails<\/b>, restricting blood flow and leading to bruising and discoloration.<\/p>\n When shopping for shoes, look for ones with a wide toe box to allow plenty of room for toes to spread out. Avoid narrow high heels and pointed toe styles. If you want to wear fashionable heels, limit the duration you wear them and give feet a break in comfier flats.<\/p>\n Consider getting shoes professionally fitted to find your exact size.<\/p>\n You can also pad problem areas in existing shoes<\/b> with gel inserts and cushy insoles to minimize friction against toes. Pay extra attention to properly fitted athletic shoes for sports like running which repeatedly jam toes against the front.<\/p>\nTreat Athlete’s Foot<\/h3>\n Fungal athlete’s foot infections thrive in the moist environment of sweaty feet inside shoes. As the infection spreads to the toenails, increased swelling and inflammation can put abnormal pressure on nails, potentially leading to purple discoloration.<\/p>\n Using over-the-counter antifungal powders, sprays, or creams<\/b> can help clear athlete’s foot and restore healthy nails and cuticles. When getting pedicures, opt for sterilized tools and avoid cutting cuticles to decrease risk of infection.<\/p>\n In severe recurrent cases of fungus under or on top of nails, prescription oral antifungal medication may be necessary to fully eliminate infections. Removing part or all of the infected nail also reduces fungus harboring in the nail bed.<\/p>\n Trim Nails Properly<\/h3>\nNeglected nails that grow elongated and curve over the toes put undue strain on the fragile nail beds each time they get jammed into the front of shoes. The cumulative trauma can take its toll.<\/p>\n Trim thickened or warped nails straight across to avoid pressure points<\/b>. File away rough edges. If nails are prone to ingrowth into skin, have a podiatrist remove the sides of the nails to help relieve irritation.<\/p>\n Stick to nail clipper brands like Harperton<\/a> designed for precision cutting and less cracking or splitting of nails.<\/p>\nMoisturize Nails and Cuticles <\/h3>\nDry brittle nails and ragged cuticles also set the stage for purple underskin bruising after even minor bumps and knocks against shoes and furniture.<\/p>\n Massaging nails and cuticles daily with moisturizing oils<\/b> enhances suppleness and circulation. Popular treatments include vitamin E, coconut, olive, jojoba, and lemon oil. For added antifungal protection against athlete’s foot, look for oils with tea tree, lavender, or oregano extracts.<\/p>\n Apply thick urea-based creams and ointments at night and cover feet in socks to intensively hydrate cracked heals and nails. Get occasional professional pedicures but skip excess cuticle cutting. Letting cuticles grow out and seal the nail layers helps lock in moisture and prevent infections.<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/h2>\nIn most cases, a purple toenail is nothing to be alarmed about, especially if the discoloration results from a minor injury and fades after a few weeks. However, some underlying conditions can also lead to purple nails, so it’s important to watch for spreading color or other symptoms.<\/p>\n By understanding what’s causing your purple nail, you can get the right treatment to restore your toenail’s healthy appearance. With proactive nail care and prompt attention to any changes, you can keep your toes looking their best.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you’ve noticed that one or more of your toenails have turned purple, you may be wondering what’s causing this unusual discoloration. A purple toenail can have a variety of causes, ranging from minor injuries to potentially serious medical conditions. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Purple toenails are…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":425,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"Nail Guide"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/why-is-my-toe-nail-purple-1024x614.webp",1024,614,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/author\/chris\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"Nail Guide","slug":"nail-guide","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1279,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":1279,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Nail Guide","category_nicename":"nail-guide","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/why-is-my-toe-nail-purple.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=256"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/425"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} |