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Black Spot On Toe Skin

What Causes Dark Spots On Bottom Of Feet

Is a Black Spot on the Toenail Cancerous?

Generally, dark spots on someone’s foot can be explained by simple answers. For example, bruises and marks on the foot can happen to those who work on their feet often or who work manual labor. However, the presence of a discolored spot without any other signs of bumps or bruising can mean something more serious is up.

Generally, two conditions can cause dark spots on the bottom or top of your feet: venous stasis dermatitis and malignant melanomas. Both of these conditions can cause discolored spots and other symptoms like pain and swelling to the foot and ankle.

What Can Cause Them

The presence of blood in a blister indicates there is high pressure component. Its this high pressure that causes deeper injury compared to normal blisters. When there is injury to small blood vessels in the dermis, blood is able to leak into the epidermis and mixes with the normal blister fluid. Thats why blood blisters often occur over joints and bony prominences: like the bony bit at the back of the heel, the toes and the metatarsal heads .

Blood vessels exist in the dermis, not the epidermis where blisters form. Thats why normal blisters are not filled with blood.

How Is Foot Melanoma Diagnosed

If you detect an unusual spot on your foot, its time to see a dermatologist. This type of skin specialist will first examine the mole. In some cases, theyll be able to tell its cancerous right away. Your dermatologist will take note of the color, size, and shape of the mole. Theyll ask you about the history of the mole and how its changed since you first noticed it.

A biopsy will help properly diagnose the spot on your foot. This requires scraping off a small part of the mole to send to the lab for evaluation.

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Check Every Part Of Your Feet For Signs Of Melanoma

Pay close attention to places on your feet that have been injured. Even if the injury was years ago, examine the area carefully.

Research has shown that a foot injury may increase your risk of developing melanoma. Bob Marley, a legendary reggae artist, developed melanoma on his foot. Its believed that the melanoma began where he had injured his foot while playing soccer. He later died of melanoma.

Treatment Should Focus On The Cause For The Black Spots

Black Fungus Under Toenail

Treatment depends on the cause. Sometimes treatment can be as simple as switching to better fitting shoes. Other times the source of the clots needs to be eliminated. For instance, a patient might need antibiotics or aprocedure to fix a AAA. If blood flow is compromised, a procedure may be necessary.

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Sun Damage Can Cause Dark Patches On Your Skin

Damage to your skin because of the sun can result in black patches on your skin because of hyperpigmentation.

Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that melanin pigments provide some protection from the harmful rays of the sun. However, if the skin is exposed to too much sun, dark pigmented patches of skin can appear.8

How Can I Prevent Ingrown Nails

  • Cut your toenails after bathing, when they are soft
  • Trim toenails with a nail clipper straight across, slightly longer than the end of the toes
  • Do not round off the corners of toenails or cut down on the sides of the nails
  • After clipping, smooth toenails with a file or emery board
  • Avoid wearing tight, restrictive shoes

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Black Spots On Skin: Causes Treatments Pictures And More

Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health

Black spots on skin can come in all shapes and sizes and can affect your face, shoulders, arms, or upper body. Some spots look like tiny black dots that resemble a black rash on your skin. Other types of black spots can be flat dark patches of skin whereas some can be raised black bumps or very dark moles.

Very often, dark patches of skin appear as we get older. This can cause dark spots on areas of the body exposed to the sun. For example, black spots on the scalp are common on older men who are bald. Some causes of tiny black dots on the face could be blackheads, scabies, or tiny dark freckles. Other reasons for dark spots on the skin can be due to some dermatological conditions. Of course, you may be worried if a black spot or mole is skin cancer.

Depending on the cause, dark spots on the skin may be itchy or irritate the surrounding area. Itching or scratching some black spots or dark skin tags on your skin may cause them to bleed easily.

Treating black spots on the face or skin usually requires addressing the underlying issue. In some cases, you should consult a dermatologist for treatment advice for black moles that appear to grow or have an irregular edge.

Melanoma Vs Normal Mole How To Tell If A Mole Is Something To Worry About

Xerosis Cutis: Severe Dry Skin, Calluses, and Fissures Caused By Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

How can you know if an existing black mole or a new dark mole is something to worry about? Researchers from the National Cancer Institute use the ABCDE system to help check for signs that a mole could be cancerous. ABCDE stands for:6

  • Asymmetrical. Black spots on the skin that are melanoma have two differently shaped halves that are irregular.
  • Border. Black spots, moles, or large freckles that have an irregular border or blurred outline.
  • Color. An uneven color is noticeable in the dark skin growth. There may be shades of black, brown, or light brown as well as other colors.
  • Diameter. Most melanomas are larger than 1/4 inch . However, its good to remember that normal moles can also be large.
  • Evolving. The mole is changing in size or other changes are noticed.

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Can A Black Toenail Cause Complications

Toenail fungus thats left untreated can spread throughout your feet and other parts of your body. It can also cause permanent nail damage.

Complications can also arise from melanoma in the toenail thats mistaken for trauma-induced black toenail. Its important to see your doctor if you notice any black spots that might be spreading throughout the nail, or if they dont go away despite your toenail growing out.

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What makes a toenail turn black?

Toenails are naturally white in color. Sometimes discolorations can occur from nail polish, nutritional deficiencies, infection, or trauma. Black toenails are attributed to a variety of causes, some of which resolve on their own. If your nail doesnt get better, youll need to see your doctor to rule out a more serious cause of black toenail.

  • An underlying medical condition: This may include anemia, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease.
  • Fungal infections: While these often look white or yellow, fungal infections can sometimes cause black toenails from debris buildup. Your toenails are especially vulnerable to fungal infections because they thrive on moist and warm environments.
  • Melanoma: This is the most serious type of skin cancer, which often appears as a dark brown misshapen spot. Such spots can also occur underneath nail beds.
  • Trauma: Usually caused by an injury, trauma to the toenail can cause the blood vessels beneath a nail to break. The resulting bleeding underneath the nail appears black.

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Are You Supposed To Pop A Blood Blister On Your Foot Or Not

There are times when keeping the blister roof intact is not the best option. It can be better to take matters into your own hands rather than ignore it and simply hope for the best. If you have the right equipment, you could deal with this appropriately and safely. It sure beats putting your blood blister with roof intact back into your shoe with no dressing and no pressure relief, therefore just leaving it to chance.

However, please realise the risk of bacterial infection when you open up a blister. For the following few days, youll need to be on the watch for signs of blister infection which include redness, swelling, pain and pus. Moreover, if you notice red streaks extending from your blister up your leg, this is serious and you need urgent medical attention.

Okay, so youve decided you want to lance your blood blister. Perhaps the amount of blood accumulating is causing pain perhaps the blister is too big and likely to tear anyway perhaps you have to carry on running or hiking and need this blister deflated. These are all legitimate reasons to pop a blood blister but only if you have the right gear!

One more time, remember, it is okay to not lance your blood blister. In other words, if in doubt, dont pop it! Read this article to help you decide if to lance or leave alone, or watch the video below.

Blood Blister On Your Toe

Black spot on end of toe : DiagnoseMe

Whether youve got a blood blister on your toe or your finger, the principles of treatment are the same. Its trickier on the feet though not least of which is because we have to stand, walk and run on them. Our feet are subject to high weightbearing pressures and high contact pressures from footwear. As a result, these forces can undo any healing we are trying to facilitate with our treatment.

The other main difference between foot and finger blood blisters is our feet are generally a more germy environment, and so theyre more susceptible to infection. Think about it our feet keep us in contact with the ground, which is a germy environment. Then we cover them in socks and shoes and keep them out of sight. Think about the warm, humid and dark environment they live in!

Please note that I am a podiatrist. In other words, I provide information about friction blisters on the feet .

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How To Treat Black Spot Under Toenail

  • Black Toenail Fungus: For black toenail fungus, youll want to see a podiatrist. In the meantime, using foot soaks, topical solutions and applying creams to your feet will help kill bacteria and varying fungus. Youll also want to trim your toenails straight across and file your toenail vertically to help deal with this issue.
  • Black Toenail Melanoma: Sometimes, a black spot on nail near cuticle, or anywhere beneath the nail, can signal subungual melanoma. In this case you wont want to take your chances.

If you cant think of any possible injury or situation which would cause a black spot to arise beneath your toenail then youll want to see a podiatrist immediately. He or she will be able to take the steps necessary to determine whether or not you have cancer beneath your toenail before it begins to spread to other parts of your body.

Signs of cancer beneath your nail include:

  • Streaks That Increase in Size
  • Brown or Black Spots That Have No Relation to Injury
  • Nails That Develop Nodules
  • Skin That Darkens Next to the Nail
  • Spots That Do Not Move Up as the Nail Grows
  • Your Nail or Toenail Detaches From Skin
  • Cracking or Thinning of The Nail
  • A Streak That Goes From Nail Bed to Cuticle

Note that some of these signs of subungual melanoma may occur even when cancer isnt present. But if you notice that the majority of these signs ring true, youll want to see your podiatrist as soon as possible.

Even then, you still may lose your toenail.

Vein Disease Or Damage

Healthy veins keep blood flowing one way through a series of valves that stop it from going back down the legs under the pull of gravity. When veins are diseased or damaged, blood may be allowed to pool in the veins instead of travelling back to the heart. This builds pressure in the vein, and blood can leak into the surrounding tissues, causing dark skin discolouration in the areas.

How to get rid of it: While treating vein damage or disease is usually part of a larger overall management plan for venous health, you can help promote healthy venous flow by staying active, hydrated and wearing compression stockings.

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When Should You See Your Doctor

A black toenail doesnt necessarily require a doctors visit the need for medical treatment depends on the initial cause. Knowing the cause can help you make this decision. On the flipside, if you dont know the cause, its a good idea to see your doctor just in case your black toenail is a sign of a serious medical condition.

Not all cases of toenail fungus require a doctors visit. However, if you also have diabetes, you should see your doctor for treatment.

A dermatologist can also help diagnose and treat black toenail. Youll need to see a dermatologist if you suspect melanoma. However, if your black toenail is caused by another underlying health issue, such as diabetes, then youll also need to see your primary doctor to treat the cause.

Any black toenail that doesnt go away should be looked at by a doctor. If youre concerned about your black toenail and dont already have a dermatologist, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Why Is My Toenail Black

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Our legs give us strength, support, and motion. However, we often neglect taking care of our feet which can lead to unsightly and sometimes painful repercussions.

Your toenails are made up of keratin, the same protein that makes up your skin and hair. Toenails are the hard flat part that protects your toes. They are resilient to daily wear and tear.

The human body gives many subtle indications when something is wrong. A black toenail can be due to various causes such as an underlying medical condition, physical injury, secondary to any drug intake, etc.

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How To Remove Dark Spots On Legs

Proper diagnosis of the underlying cause can help you select the appropriate treatment of dark spots on legs. Here are the modalities your dermatologist may recommend as a standalone or combination treatment to help you get rid of these spots effectively

  • Chemical Peel: A chemical peel is one of the most recommended treatments for dark spots on legs. Dermatologists use plant-based extracts containing alpha-hydroxy acids for topical application to the affected area. The peel used may be light, medium or deep based on the concentration of the solution and the duration of application. The peel helps in controlled exfoliation of the top layer of skin, thereby reducing the black spots and allowing the newer and lighter cells to grow. Your doctor might recommend a few sessions of chemical peel treatments at regular intervals to remove the black marks on your legs.
  • Laser Treatment: During this advanced aesthetic procedure, dermatologists use a focused beam of light to target the pigmented area of the skin. This eliminates the excessive melanocytes causing the black spots on the thighs, lower legs, knees, and feet. Your doctor may recommend a few sessions of treatment depending on the severity of hyperpigmentation.An added advantage with laser treatment is that it can target deeper pigmentation. Different laser treatments are available in India to remove black marks on legs effectively. Consult an experienced dermatologist to know which laser technology will suit you best.

The Wait And See Approach

In some cases, no treatment may be the best option, as the spots could go away over time.

For example, this may be the case for some types of hyperpigmentation that occur during pregnancy or those that appear after an acne pimple goes away.

In the meantime, the use of sun protection can help prevent the spots from getting darker.

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A Take Away All Pressure

If its possible, remove all pressure to ensure the blister roof remains intact and allow it to heal in its own time. For example, a blood blister on top of your toe would benefit from simply wearing open-toed sandals. Similarly, a blister at the back of your heel would get relief from wearing open-backed scuffs. However, if your blister is under your foot, or you simply must wear enclosed shoes, its impossible to negate all pressure.

Who Is More At Risk For Developing Foot Melanoma

melanoma under toenails pictures

Aside from UV ray exposure, melanoma tends to occur more often in people with certain risk factors. These include:

  • having fair skin
  • being sensitive to the sun
  • having a history of at least one severe sunburn before the age of 18
  • having preexisting moles on your feet
  • having at least 50 moles throughout your body
  • having a family history of melanoma or another type of skin cancer

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What Does Foot Melanoma Look Like Skin Cancer Can Hide As Spot On Sole

As a young, healthy African American, Joshua Paschal didnt think he could get melanoma. The deadliest form of skin cancer is rare among African-Americans, so he wasnt worried when a tiny dark spot appeared on the sole of his right foot early last year.

It was as small as a dot that you would do with a pen, Paschal, 20, a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, told TODAY.

I didnt care too much about it because I thought it was a blood blister. I kept playing football and working out and it would grow in small increments.

Thinking it could be a plantar wart, the football player first consulted a podiatrist. But he was quickly sent to a dermatologist for a biopsy. The diagnosis: melanoma.

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