Keep Your Nails from Blackening

With the abundance of recently-finished and soon-to-be-completed construction projects extending from Plano to Haslet, the landscape of North Texas is certainly being transformed. Whether we are talking about the State Farm campus opened earlier this year or UNT student union renovation, there have been some major construction projects. The men and women who work in the industry know that wearing protective footwear is one way to keep feet safe, and this includes preventing black toenails. There are other ways, too, so let’s look at how you can keep your nails clear and toes healthy.

When it comes to black toenails, there are a handful of root causes, including physical trauma, fungal infection, ill-fitting footwear, and malignant melanoma. Physical trauma can either happen in one solitary incident or as the result of repetitive action, like when a toe repeatedly hits the front of a shoe during miles of running.

With regard to melanoma, this is both the most serious and most rare of these causes. Even though it’s rare, you should still come in and have any dark spots examined. Catching melanoma at the earliest possible stage provides the best hope for successful treatment.

Preventing black toenails comes down to methods like:

Wearing protective footwear. If your job requires you to frequently move heavy items, invest in a quality pair of steel-toed shoes.
Choosing shoes that fit well. Make sure that your footwear has wide toe boxes and your toes can wiggle freely.
Keeping nails and feet dry and clean. Damp feet, socks, and shoes provide an optimal breeding ground for fungus, which can cause infection.
Trimming your nails properly. Always clip your toenails straight across and maintain a length that isn’t too short or too long. Aim for keeping them even with the edge of the toes.

Some tips to prevent black toenails are easier (wear proper fitting shoes) while others are harder (don’t accidently drop something), but you can rest assured that Dallas Podiatry Works is here to help when something goes wrong. Whenever you sustain an injury to a toe, foot, or ankle, we can provide an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment to help restore your health.

Schedule your appointment at either our Plano, TX or Dallas offices by calling 972.853.7100, or simply use our online form to contact us today.

The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.

Derrick W.

The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.

Joseph B.

I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.

Jeannette H.

Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.

Meryl E.

I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.

Google User

Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.