I can accurately guess that the first thing running in your minds right now when you first read the title is on how racist I am. Imagine hating a toe nail just because of its black color. However, as you find out what a black toe nail really is, then you would probably agree with me.

What the heck is a black toe nail?

It is rather embarrassing to be a black toe nail. Why? If you are a black toe nail, imagine yourself being a dead nail walking, or a walking fungal infection. Rather morbid, huh? However, that is what a black toe nail is: An infected toe nail or a toe nail that has already met its demise.

Why do black toe nails occur?

Aside from a black toe nail being a toe nail with black nail polish on it, a black toe nail is a discolored toe nail due to several causes. First of all, it may be caused by the accumulation of blood underneath the nail or on the nail bed due to tight footwear or accidentally dropping a heavy object on it. When blood builds up underneath the nail, it forms a reddish black color, such as a bruise. When the blood under the nail clots, then the black color is retained on the toe nail.

Another cause of black toe nails may also be because of a fungal infection on the toe nail. Being quite intimate with the ground, together with soil and dirt, it is no wonder why the toe nails are more prone to fungal infections. Even if you wear shoes, the damp insides make it quite conducive for fungus to grow and thrive, especially when wearing shoes without socks.

Black toe nails may be a dead toe nail, which gives the appearance of a black toe nail. This also has many causes, including blood clots and infected toe nails as well. A great example of dead toe nails are often seen in the feet of ballet dancers, because of frequent walking on their toes. The weight and pressure on the toes while on pointes or ballet toe shoes can cause the death of their nails. This gives them an excellent reason to avoid wearing sandals to avoid showcasing their black toe nails.

Adam Sandler in his movie “Mr. Deeds” showed his valet his black foot and toe nails. He even had him hit it with fireplace poker to show that it was really dead. And while the valet was hitting the foot with the poker, Mr. Deeds did not feel any pain from it.

How to handle black toe nails?

· If the color of the toe nail is due to being dead, there is nothing to do about it but to color over it and make it look similar to the color of other toes.

· If it were due to a fungal infection, then the necessary antibiotics and medications for fungal infections are given.

· If it were due to a blood clot, then there is nothing that you can do but wait for the nail to grow out or live with it.

Having a black toe nail may prove to be quite a challenge to remedy, especially when wearing sandals and open shoes. But, black toe nails can still be covered by nail polish and other cover ups to hide its color. It all depends on what kind of black toe nail you have and how you decide it to treat it.