Could Your Black Toenail Be More Than a Bruise? Learn the Warning Signs

When a Black Toenail May Be More Serious
Although uncommon, persistent dark pigmentation beneath a toenail that does not follow an injury should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional. In rare cases, it can be associated with subungual melanoma, a type of skin cancer that develops under the nail.

Warning signs include:

A dark streak or spot that gradually becomes larger
Pigment extending onto the surrounding skin
No history of trauma
Persistent discoloration that does not grow out with the nail
Changes in the nail without an obvious cause
These symptoms do not automatically mean cancer, but they should never be ignored.