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Black Toenail Research Paper

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Noticing a change in your body’s appearance is never an easy thing to accept and while some individuals may overlook a discolored nail and set it aside as nothing, a black toenail is not something that should be taken lightly. Although the reason for a black toenail may be a minor issue such as a bruise caused by pumping it into something, change in the color of the nail often indicate that there is something wrong; therefore, a black nail must be attended to immediately. Reasons for black toenails As was mentioned before, the reason for black nails varies; however, the most common cause is blood beneath the harden tissue of the nail. A bruised toe may cause blood to drain into the nail bed, changing its color. This condition is known as a …show more content…

If you have an infection, you will recognize some of the above mentioned symptoms; blood pooling under the nail, which changes from red, to purple/blue and then finally, it becomes black. Other than the unpleasant appearance of a toenail turning black, the pain it may cause may affect your daily function and cause you to be less efficient than normal. If you suspect that you have this particular type of nail fungus, examine the color closely because another nail infection known as Green Nail Syndrome maybe the culprit behind your discolored nails. This fungal infection comes with a blue-green or dark green color and is caused by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa …show more content…

The surgical procedure used is the removal of the infected toenail or nails. If your doctor notices that the infection is recurrent, he will also recommend that the nail be surgically removed. Once surgery is complete, a topical cream or other topical treatment may also be prescribed to treat any remaining fungus that may be found in the bed of the nail. After surgery, a new nail will regrow; however, new growth will be slow and tedious and can sometimes take as long as one year to regrow; therefore, surgical procedures are always a last resort. If you are prone to nail infection or is getting one for the first time, think about the various treatment options available to you. Be sure to assess the damage before deciding to treat the infection yourself and see a doctor if the infection is too severe for home and over the counter remedies. While black toenail is not a life or death situation, it is a serious condition that can cause severe pain and other ailments; therefore, it is advised that you begin treatment immediately if you notice your nail changing color over a period of time. There are many options available to you and if the treatments mentioned above do not suit you, there is also the option of laser

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