Archive · 27 Dec 2025
Dried Blood in Toenail: Causes and Treatment
Sometimes, blood can get trapped under your toenail, making it look reddish-brown or black.
This is called a subungual hematoma and usually happens because of an injury, like stubbing your toe or wearing tight shoes.
The blood stays there because toenails grow very slowly.
Most of the time, you don't need to do anything, and the blood will go away as the nail grows out.
But if your nail gets loose, hurts, or looks bad, you should see a doctor.
They might trim or remove the nail if needed.
To keep this from happening again, wear comfortable shoes and avoid hurting your toes.
Dried blood under the toenail, called subungual hematoma, is caused by trauma or repetitive injury.
The condition appears as reddish-brown to dark purple or black and moves forward as the nail grows.
Most cases do not require treatment, as the blood will gradually grow out with the nail.
Home remedies or attempts to remove the blood can lead to infections or nail damage.
Medical attention may be needed if the nail becomes loose, painful, or cosmetically concerning.
- Who
- Individuals with dried blood under their toenails
- What
- Subungual hematoma, a condition where blood collects under the nail
- When
- After trauma or repetitive injury, lasting several months
- Where
- Under the toenail
- Why
- Due to trauma, such as stubbing the toe or wearing tight footwear
- Condition
- Subungual hematoma
- Cause
- Trauma or repetitive injury
- Appearance
- Reddish-brown to dark purple or black
- Growth Time
- 9 to 12 months for toenails to replace
- Treatment
- No active treatment needed in most cases
- Medical Attention
- If nail becomes loose, painful, or cosmetically concerning
- Prevention
- Wear comfortable footwear, avoid further trauma