Nail Trauma
What is Nail Trauma?
Nail trauma happens often and can be caused by:
Dropping or crushing something on your toe
Abnormal way of walking or using your foot
Repeated small injuries from overusing your feet
Pressure from shoes that don’t fit properly
The damage can range from minor to severe. The most common result is a subungual hematoma, which is a dark spot under the nail from blood pooling. In more serious cases, the nail might split or come off, and there could even be a fracture in the underlying tissue or bone.
Who Is At Risk For Nail Trauma?
Nail trauma can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender, and is usually caused by injury to the nail. However, some people are more likely to experience it, such as:
Runners
Might get bleeding, blisters, or black toenails from the constant impact of their shoes hitting their toes while running.
Those wearing ill-fitting shoes
Shoes that are too tight squeeze the toes together. Shoes that are too big can also cause the toes to bump against the inside of the shoe repeatedly.
Possible Complications of Nail Trauma Injuries
If nail trauma isn’t treated, it can lead to infections from bacteria, fungi, or viruses. These infections might spread to other nails, nearby tissues, or even the bone, making the problem worse and requiring more intensive treatment.
Leaving nail trauma untreated can also result in long-term issues like irregular nail growth, ingrown toenails, and unattractive nail shapes. In severe cases, damage to the nail matrix (the part of the nail where new cells are made) can even cause the nail to fall off completely.
When is Nail Trauma, Not Nail Trauma?
Although it’s rare in Singapore, some skin cancers, especially melanoma, can look like nail trauma. A subungual melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer under the nail, usually shows up as a vertical brown or black stripe that starts at the base of the nail and extends to the tip. This discoloration appears gradually and is often painless but can spread to other parts of the body.
Subungual melanoma can be serious and may not be noticed until it’s advanced because the feet are often overlooked. If you notice any unusual discoloration on your nails without a clear reason, see a podiatrist right away. Early detection can significantly improve your chances of recovery.
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