What Can Cause A Black Toenail?

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease can occur in either one or both kidneys. The kidneys are essential for many functions of the body, including urinating and regulating the amount of potassium, salt, and pH levels in the body. When the kidneys have become damaged because of kidney disease, they may be unable to perform the normal functions they're supposed to. The most common type of this disease is chronic kidney disease, which is a long-term issue usually brought about by high blood pressure. The kidneys will continue to worsen until dialysis is necessary. If the kidneys stop functioning altogether, patients may need to obtain a kidney transplant. Because of how many functions the kidneys are used for, the worsening of these functions means certain nitrogenous waste products can build up in areas of the body like the toenails, which causes them to blacken.

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Anemia

Another underlying condition that could be the cause of a black toenail is anemia, which occurs when the body isn't producing the number of red blood cells it's supposed to. This blood disorder is very common and affects well over three million individuals throughout the United States. The main symptoms associated with anemia include pale skin, headaches, and severe chest pains. While anemia on its own isn't always a serious condition, this issue is commonly brought about by the presence of another disease interfering with the body's production of red blood cells. These causes can include everything from ulcers and menstrual bleeding to kidney disease. The symptoms patients will experience when affected by this condition primarily include fatigue, headaches, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The development of a black toenail most often occurs with sickle cell anemia.

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