Why are my nails black after chemo?

Why are my nails black after chemo?

In addition to pruritus, chemotherapy, biologics, and targeted therapies can cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Chemotherapy and targeted therapy may cause your nails to turn dark, develop ridges, or become brittle. Your cuticles also may become inflamed and painful.

What does it mean when your nail bed turns black?

Black Toenail: Common Causes If your toenail turns black, it’s most likely a bruise under the nail, technically called a subungual hematoma. You can get it from stubbing a toe or from footwear that cram your feet into the front of the shoe.

Can chemo cause nail discoloration?

Chemotherapy has been associated with various types of nail changes such as nail dystrophies; different patterns of nail discoloration (known as chromonychia)1, leukonychia (including Mee’s and Muehrcke’s lines), Beau’s lines, paronychia and onycholysis.

Will my nails go back to normal after chemo?

Nail Symptoms From Chemotherapy Chemotherapy can cause your nails to change in a few ways. Fingernails are affected more often than toenails. Once your treatment is done, it can take about six to 12 months for your fingernails to grow back out to normal. Toenails can take longer—sometimes up to a year.

How do you treat black nails?

Over-the-counter ointments, creams, and polishes are usually effective. Severe cases may require a prescription antifungal treatment. If a black toenail is caused by an injury, the resulting spot from broken blood vessels will disappear once your nail grows out.

Does black toenail go away?

Black toenails will typically go away on their own, but it can take several months. The condition will diminish once new tissue grows completely under the toenail itself. There are several ways to prevent a black toenail from happening in the first place.

How do I get my toenails back to normal color?

What You Can Do About Discolored Toenails. If you develop toenail fungus, you can treat the infection with an antifungal cream or an oral medication. For other causes of toenail discoloration, make sure your feet are well protected and avoid walking barefoot to prevent an injury or infection.

What does it mean when your nail beds are purple?

This condition is known as cyanosis. It occurs when there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood, making the skin or membrane below the skin turn a purplish-blue color. The skin discoloration could also mean that there’s a high level of an abnormal form of hemoglobin in your blood.

Can you tell if someone anemic by their nails?

Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.