Blueness of the nail on the big toe. Why do fingernails turn blue: causes and possible consequences

As you know, nails reflect the state of human health, so any changes should be taken as a reason to see a doctor and examine the body. Normal nails have a smooth surface, the correct shape and a pale pink color. Let's try to figure out what a change in the color of the nails can mean, namely, if the nails are blue.

Blue fingernails or toenails - causes

Among the reasons for this phenomenon are the most diverse.

Injury

This is one of the most common causes of bluish nails. With a severe bruise, the nail plate can change color completely. This is a large hematoma under the nail. After a slight blow, a blue spot may form on the nail.

Wrong manicure or pedicure

If the cuticle or burrs are unsuccessfully trimmed, the nail plate can be injured, which sometimes also causes blueness, as well as grooves on the nails.

Poor quality nail products

The use of expired or containing many harmful components of nail polish, as well as nail polish remover, can not only lead to a change in the shade of the nail (blue, yellowing), but also to delamination, destruction of the nail plate.

Wearing tight shoes

Uncomfortable shoes that squeeze your toes are also often the cause of blue nails.

Taking certain medications

It has been established that treatment with certain drugs can affect the color of the nail plates and cause them to turn blue. This applies to antimalarials, minocycline, silver nitrate.

Liver disorders

If the nails are blue at the base (near the hole), this may indicate pathological processes in the liver (for example, it may be).

Wilson's disease

Blue nails may be a symptom of a congenital disorder of copper metabolism (Wilson's disease), leading to disorders of the central nervous system and internal organs.

Poor circulation

If the nail first acquires a blue color, and then the finger begins to turn blue, this may be a sign of an acutely developing circulatory disorders. As a result, tissues suffer from a lack of oxygen, which can be very dangerous.

Congestive heart failure

With this pathology, stagnation of blood occurs in the veins, which leads to blue, both nails and skin.

Fungus

Another reason for the appearance of blue color on the nails is the presence of a fungal infection. When there is also deformation and thickening of the nail plate, itching, an unpleasant odor.

Blue nails on the arms or legs completely different reasons, with any change inside the body, the nail plates are the first to let you know about it. But fortunately, blue is not always a source of poor health, so before you diagnose yourself, remember what happened to you the day before. Perhaps there was some kind of injury, and the bruise led to certain bluish swelling. Or a dye leaked under the nail platinum, or a rather strong hypothermia of the body or limbs occurred.

If none of the options is suitable, then you should disassemble anxiety symptoms possible diseases. I would like to note right away that in addition to blue nails, other indicators should be present for a particular disease.

Why do nails turn blue?

Why do the nails on the limbs of the hands or feet turn blue, or only on certain fingers? There are plenty of reasons not to worry or, on the contrary, to consult a specialist in the near future.

Absolutely healthy man has a smooth nail plate with a uniform pale pink tint without any inclusions or stripes. Deviations in the color or structure of the nail (look at the photo) can serve as a signal of violations in the functioning of the organs. But, as we have already figured out a little, the cause of blueness is not always associated with pathology.

  1. Hematoma formed after mechanical manipulation on one of the fingers or toes or on the entire limb.
  2. Damage to the cuticle or plate after manicure procedures can lead to complications in the form of cyanosis.
  3. Hypothermia due to low temperatures. After warming up from the cold, nails and lips should return to normal shades.
  4. Impact medicines to certain parts of the body.
  5. Negative reaction to low-quality manicure products.
  6. Allergic reaction to contact with household chemicals.
  7. Pathological processes of blood circulation.

In rare cases, the cause may be more rare and serious diseases, for example, Westphal-Wilson disease, cirrhosis of the liver. Or Raynaud's disease, which is associated with slow blood circulation. With such a disease, the limbs of the legs or arms, ears, lips become very sensitive and painful to cold. Therefore, if the blue color of the hole does not disappear, in without fail should contact the medical center.

On hands

In addition to the above reasons, nails and fingers can turn blue on the hands due to several more factors that are interpreted in their own way in alternative medicine:

  • a blue thumbnail indicates disorders in the cardiovascular system;
  • index fingers under the nails indicate problems in the liver or in the organs of the digestive system;
  • the blue base of the middle finger indicates disruptions in the circulatory processes;
  • the skin of the ring finger under the nail indicates an instability of the endocrine system or a problem in the peripheral organs of the lymphatic system;
  • if the skin under the nail of the little finger turns blue, then you should pay attention to the intestines and heart.

Similar symptoms can occur on the fingers of both the left and right hands. And according to Tibetan healing, any ailment can be diagnosed even by the shape and shape of the nails. In this medicine, blue spots often indicate a disorder in the liver.

On foot

Toenails are more likely to turn blue for the above or other reasons, among which blueness due to impact also appears. Hematoma is a common reaction to a bruise, which doctors can easily determine.

But sometimes the skin under the toenails turns blue for other reasons, which are also quite common in medical practice:

  • fungus of the nail plate. In addition to the blue tint, the disease is accompanied by a number of other symptoms, such as nail deformity, itching, plate weakness, fragility of the nail tissues. At home, such a disease is treated only after visiting a doctor who has prescribed specialized drugs for you;
  • wrong shoes for frequent wear. The nail of the thumb suffers most of all, since it is on it that the main load of weight and pressure of the inner wall of the shoe falls. If the index toe is longer than the big one, then the one that is more elongated will hurt;
  • melanoma is a malignant cancer that is quite rare, develops due to an increased number of pigment particles. In most cases, such a cancerous form manifests itself in the form of an irregular mole, and grows much less often under the nails;
  • physical fatigue. Such a reflex can be found in professional athletes or simply in people who spend most of their time on their feet;
  • poor-quality pedicure can also serve, at least, to a certain discomfort, which can lead to more serious consequences. Initially, it all looks just like a slight bluing.

A disease such as heart failure can also appear on the toes, but in order to self-diagnose the disease, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the nail. You should carefully look at the skin around the nail plate, if it is also blue or bluish, then you should immediately consult a doctor.

What to do with the problem?

What to do with such a problem as blue under the nails of the toes or hands? With your own hands, you can correct the situation in several cases. If the deformation or the blue beginning of the nail was due to wearing uncomfortable shoes, then you should choose a looser or more comfortable pair.

In addition to tight shoes, compression stockings can also press, which sometimes give complications in the form of pain in the nails and a slight blue. In order to avoid such discomfort, the nails should be cut very short, and after the maximum shortening of the nail plates, they should also be sanded so as not to tear the elastic tissue.

Pregnancy often brings surprises to expectant mothers and, unfortunately, not always pleasant ones. In particular, melanin dyschromia of the skin under the nail plates can sometimes be observed. Pregnant women should not be afraid of such a manifestation, but they should definitely visit a gynecologist, dermatologist and mycologist.

Visit to the doctor

A visit to the doctor cannot be avoided if the blueness does not go away on its own on the second third day, or after hypothermia. With your own hands, you can only help the blue nail in the case of a household injury or bad shoes, the treatment of which we will describe below.

The following symptoms require medical intervention:

  • a blue tint is available not only under the nails, but also around them;
  • the place of the nail plate with blue color is accompanied by various pain sensations;
  • itching began, and after it - and peeling around the nails;
  • general negative condition: dizziness, headache, general weakness;
  • shortness of breath appeared even after light exertion;
  • predisposition of the body to pulmonary or heart failure.

Bruises may appear periodically, which should also be recorded by specialists in medical institutions. An experienced doctor will help not only to identify the problem, cure the disease, but also restore the previous state of the nails.

You can neglect going to a specialist only in a few cases that do not promise serious health consequences. Such phenomena include blueness due to a bruise or pain due to a sports career.

Also, with repeated manifestations of fungal diseases that have taken place quite recently, you should repeat the treatment course and not resort to visiting a doctor.

Treatment at home

Treatment of blue nails can be carried out at home, if during a medical examination no abnormalities in the functioning of the body were revealed. In this case, it is allowed folk remedies as well as pharmaceuticals.

  1. For a case of injury at the very beginning, ice or other cold can be used to reduce the formation of a bruise. Then, if necessary, an anesthetic is taken, the affected nail is smeared with an ointment that promotes healing of hematomas. It is also not contraindicated to wear a protective bandage. You can often find recommendations such as piercing an internal accumulation of blood with a needle at home, but such manipulations can bring a lot of negative consequences. In addition, in hospitals, the nail plate is pierced only if there is a possibility that it can lift the nail.
  2. In case of unsuccessful staining of the nail plates with chemical-based cosmetics, you should wait for the natural color change of the nail, and henceforth no longer resort to low-quality, untested or cheap preparations.
  3. If you just need to increase blood flow in order to quickly and easily correct the situation with a slight slight bluing, then you can make a bath for the fingers or toes with sea salt, soaking the limbs in water for 15 minutes. It is also recommended to add a few drops of lavender oil to the liquid or, in general, just do a warming and restorative hand massage with this oil.
  4. It happens that at elevated temperatures in a child, the limbs of the arms and legs become cold, as a result of which the nails turn blue. This is largely due to vasospasm, which often fails in the body's heat transfer mechanism during a fever. First of all, it is necessary to give the baby a No-Shpu tablet, the dosage of which is determined by age or weight category. Following this, you should immediately rub the legs and arms with your own hands in order to disperse the blood through the veins, while giving as much warm (not hot or cold) drink as possible. Children who are prone to such spasms should be given an antipyretic immediately, as soon as the temperature mark appears at 38 degrees. It is also extremely important to keep in touch with at least the district pediatrician or the ambulance operator for any symptoms.

Often, experts advise taking vitamin or mineral complexes certain courses after prolonged illnesses, which will help strengthen and grow the nail plates and hairline.

Prevention

With a little preventive maintenance, many of the problems associated with blue nails can be avoided. Simple rules will help prevent the development of diseases that you do not even know about.

  1. Trim nails only with individual disinfected tools, without affecting the skin.
  2. Wear shoes that are more comfortable and of better quality than fashionable shoes, which should be true to size.
  3. Be extremely careful when lifting heavy objects to avoid injury.
  4. Limit yourself to walking barefoot if you are not hardened enough or know that you are susceptible to certain diseases.
  5. At any time of the year, the feet must be kept dry and clean.
  6. Shoes, socks and gloves should also be kept clean and fresh.
  7. Do not use household chemicals on any surface without gloves.
  8. Eradicate the causes immediately, as soon as they have made themselves felt, and do not wait for uncomfortable sensations.

It is extremely dangerous to ignore rare diseases, but a simple illness in a neglected form will become no less dangerous. In order for the nails to please you with the view and general condition follow simple guidelines.

Always listen carefully to the body, which in one form or another is capable of signaling problems or changes. And the slightest manifestations that go beyond the standard must be recorded and observed together with a specialist.

In a calm, healthy state, human nails have a smooth, slightly shiny surface and a light pinkish color. Various diseases can affect their structure, shape and appearance. Often people are faced with the fact that the nail has turned blue or even several at the same time. This, unfortunately, is not just an aesthetic flaw, but also a signal of existing problems in the human body.

Causes of blue nails

The reason why the nails turn blue can be several factors, among them they note:

  • injuries - most often provoke blue toenails and hands. As a result of a bruise, a hematoma forms on the skin under the nail plate. The accumulation of blood looks like cyanosis;
  • uncomfortable, poor-quality or inappropriate footwear for the size of the foot provokes a discoloration of the nails on the big toes;
  • cardiovascular insufficiency may be accompanied by stagnation of blood in the extremities. As a result, bluish nails appear. In this case, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor, because such a condition can be life-threatening;
  • a fungal infection is one of the reasons why the nail turns blue. Along with this, a change in the shape of the plate, its thickening or brittleness can also be observed;
  • burrs, sloppy pedicure, excessive traumatization of the cuticles provoke the appearance of blue nails. Moreover, wounds on the skin are an excellent environment for the spread of infections;
  • malignant tumors (melanomas) are characterized by the formation of small blisters under the nails, they cause some cyanosis;
  • with regular use of low-quality cosmetics and aggressive chemicals, a change in the color of the plate may occur. In this case, blue nails require subsequent restoration;
  • hypothermia of the extremities is accompanied;
  • circulatory failure provokes a lack of oxygen. This can be the reason why the nails and fingers and toes turn blue. The lack of qualified assistance, in this case, often leads to gangrene.

Some causes of blue toenails and fingernails are not dangerous to human health, while others require prompt treatment. In order to correctly diagnose the disease and identify the factors that provoked the problem, you need to contact a specialist.

Blue Nail Treatment

What to do if the toenail or handnail turns blue depends only on the cause of this problem. In any case, such a problem can be treated both with the help of traditional medicine and folk methods.

When the reason why the nail turned blue is an injury, then you should soberly assess its degree and, if necessary, consult a traumatologist. If there are no concomitant fractures and sprains, then ice can be applied to the site of injury. This will reduce pain and reduce the hematoma.

With a fungus, the blue nail does not melt at the initial stage. A change in color may indicate the neglect of the disease. In this case, treatment should be complex. It is optimal to use antifungal ointments and creams simultaneously with herbal baths, compresses and lotions.

If the reason why the toenails turn blue and especially on the hands is the use of low-quality cosmetics, you should first of all exclude contact with them. Then, to restore the nail plate, firming creams and oils are applied.

In cases where problems appear as a result of various cardiovascular diseases, there is the greatest risk of complications. To avoid this, you should do all the necessary tests and start treatment as soon as possible. Use of funds traditional medicine in such a situation, it is possible only on the recommendation of a doctor.

In case of frostbite, seek help from the nearest medical facility. Painkillers may be prescribed to alleviate the condition. The affected areas of the skin are treated with antiseptic agents. Severe frostbite may require surgery.

In general, if the nails on the big toes or hands turn blue, this is not very dangerous, but only if it is not a symptom of a serious concomitant disease.

Prevention of blue nails

It is better to prevent the occurrence of any problem than to try to solve it with all your might. Knowing why the toenails and hands turn blue, you can take the following preventive measures:

  1. Choose comfortable shoes that fit the size. There should be no pain when walking. It is impossible for the big toe to strongly rest against the toe of the shoe, because this provokes blue nails. You should also avoid wearing high-heeled shoes for a long time.
  2. Perform manicures and pedicures extremely carefully to avoid damaging the cuticles. In addition, all instruments should be disinfected. by special means. It is especially important to control their processing in beauty salons.
  3. Wear only natural underwear quality materials. Synthetics can provoke allergic reactions, it does not allow air to pass through and does not remove moisture. This leads to the appearance of fungus.
  4. Observe the rules of personal hygiene. Feet should be washed several times throughout the day and at bedtime. After the procedure, they should be very carefully wiped with a dry towel. It is also necessary to wash your hands well after visiting public places.
  5. Avoid frostbite. In case of hypothermia, you need to immediately warm your hands and feet.
  6. If a fungus is found, you should immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment.

In general, blue nails are not an independent disease. Most often, it appears as a symptom that indicates problems in the body. Therefore, if a change in the color of the nail plate is detected, you should immediately make an appointment with a doctor, because timely treatment is the right way to recovery.

Why do toenails turn blue, and only on the thumbs?

  1. Nails can turn blue due to tight shoes, circulatory problems, fungus, you can read more on the link blocked by the decision of the project administration
  2. Causes of damage to the nail plate wearing tight shoes or shoes that do not fit well on the leg. This trouble often happens to athletes: athletes, skiers, tourists, lovers of mountains and hiking. But you don't have to be an athlete to buy uncomfortable shoes. Sport here plays rather a provoking factor, accelerating the appearance of a bruise. wrong pedicure. This happens with inaccurate processing by the cuticle master. Cutting too hard or pushing the latter back can damage the nail fold. This is dangerous because the nail after such a procedure may generally stop growing correctly. It may take on a blue tint or become wavy. poor quality cosmetics. Cheap low-quality nail polish, frequent use of nail polish remover containing acetone, or constant contact with chemicals can greatly affect the health of nails. Nails can not only turn blue or yellow, but also begin to crumble. After prolonged exposure to harmful substances, the nails usually exfoliate heavily and become brittle. The little finger nail can break along, which will cause serious discomfort. There may even be bleeding. the appearance of burrs, under which infection often develops. The development of burrs is usually provoked by improperly cut cuticles or exposure chemicals. Another reason could be fungus. The presence of a fungus can be determined by the accompanying deformation and thickening of the nail plate. Often there is itching of the skin of the feet, the skin between the toes, the patient experiences a strong burning sensation. The nail affected by the fungus not only turns blue, but also crumbles, exfoliates and breaks. Treating fungus is very difficult. Fungal infections are prone to frequent relapses. Therefore, entrust the treatment to professionals. You can go to a private clinic and pay a considerable amount, or you can go to the clinic at your place of residence and get a referral to a dermatologist.

    How to treat a blue nail? How to prevent the appearance of a blue nail? If the cause is a nail injury, discomfort in the form of painful pulsation cannot be avoided. Aching pain can remain for quite a long time. The feeling of pain in this case is the result of blood accumulated under the nail plate. The liquid simply has nowhere to go and it puts pressure on the surrounding tissues. It seems to a person that his finger is simply torn.
    However, not everyone will like to admire the nail with a hole burned in the middle. It is better to wait for the gradual growth of the nail plate. Of course, this can take quite a lot of time. But on the other hand, a person will certainly avoid infection and other troubles that may arise when a blue nail is removed on its own.
    It is very good if, during an injury, a crane with cold water. Place your injured finger under running water. Cold promotes resorption of the hematoma, subsides pain and inflammation. You can also put a bandage of gauze on the nail and apply ice on top for three minutes. You can repeat the manipulation after a quarter of an hour, about four times in total. Timely measures taken will avoid rejection of the nail plate.
    Be more responsible when buying shoes. Buy only spacious and comfortable shoes, quality production. Shoes should exceed the size of the foot in length and be slightly tight in width. Do not wear synthetic socks. Burrs quickly appear from them, an infection develops. Wash your feet thoroughly with soap before going to bed. Dry thoroughly after water procedures. Violating the rules of personal hygiene, do not be surprised why the nails turned blue.
    Blue thumb nail? Watch your pedicure. The injury may be preceded by an excessively long nail. When trimming the cuticle, be careful. Visit only proven salons and qualified pedicurists.

The toenail may turn blue from something heavy falling on the foot or from hitting something with the foot. Along with the leg, the nail is also injured. And then the nail plate acquires an unpleasant blue color. But the nails on the legs do not necessarily turn blue because of the above. In addition to mechanical reasons, there are others. For example, nails become so from tight, uncomfortable shoes. Tourists, rock climbers, skiers and athletes are more susceptible to this, as well as women who, for example, wear narrow and tight shoes instead of suitable shoes of large sizes. The nail roller can still be easily damaged with a bad pedicure, when the nail is cut too deep. After this, the correct growth of the nail may stop, because of which it will always be wavy or bluish. Another reason for bluing is acetone contained in nail polish remover, low-quality nail polishes. At the same time, in addition to turning blue, the nails also turn yellow and crumble. They do not like nails and chemicals that have a harmful effect on them. This can cause them to peel and break. On the little toe, the nail usually breaks along and causes discomfort. Along with this, there is also bleeding. Another nail turns blue due to an infection that appeared after improper removal of the cuticle or from chemicals.

It is necessary to immediately consult a doctor if suddenly after the nail the toe itself begins to turn blue. This will signal improper blood circulation and a lack of oxygen in the tissues, which is still fraught with gangrene. And in no case should you delay then.

If the nail turns blue from injury, then you need to carefully trim it as it grows until a normal color appears on the nail, or you can seek help from a good surgeon who will not only remove the nail, but also anesthetize. But a finger without a nail will feel everything sharply. After a bruise, in order to avoid turning blue, you need to pour cold water on your finger or apply an ice compress to it, repeating this every fifteen minutes four times. All this will not allow the nail plate to move away.

Help prevent blue toenails right choice shoes, avoiding synthetic socks, washing feet with soap before going to bed and drying them thoroughly after that, cutting nails correctly and accurately. In case of injury from a cut, it is necessary to disinfect the wound with antiseptics. After a pedicure, it is not recommended to wear socks and shoes for two hours. Home pedicure is usually done before going to bed.