Bruised ToeNail Causes, Symptom,Treatment, Legs, Toe, How to Heal

Explore more about bruised toenail causes and its treatment. You will also get insights on bruising easily and unexplained bruises that may develop on the legs.

Bruised Toenail Causes

A toenail bruise is an injury to internal tissues of a toe that does not broke the skin. The trauma to the skin causes the blood vessels near the skin to rupture resulting to leakage of blood under the nail. It may cause discoloration that may disappear on its own or with little treatment after a period of two weeks. It may also take longer depending with the cause.
There are various medical conditions and other possible causes that may cause a toenail bruise. When you start experiencing the symptoms, it is advisable to visit your doctor to determine the exact cause especially for bruising easily with no reason. The different causes includes the following:

  • Trauma from blunt objects that may hit your nail
  • Taking anticoagulant medications
  • Road traffic and sports accidents
  • A fracture on the toenail
  • Internal body infections
  • Foot sprain

In most cases, a toenail bruise normally results from trauma on the toe. Dropping heavy objects on the toe, wearing ill-fitting shoe, hitting the toe against an object, stubbing the toe on a hard surface or slamming it in a house door may result to breakage of blood vessels under the nail bed. The blood may leak in the internal tissues of the toe to cause a blue-black discoloration.
The nail itself cannot become bruised since it contains dead tissues. The nail may experience discoloration and pain on the affected area. When the pain is severe, you may apply some of the bruised toenail remedy to control the discomfort. Pain from minor injuries can easily be controlled by refraining from duties to have a rest.
A bruise that may develop under the toenail tissues without an injury may be an indication of a blood condition. You are supposed to visit your health care provider to diagnose your condition. Anticoagulant medications and some pain relievers may also cause bruising on different parts of your body including the toenail.
Severe injury that results to a serious bruising may cause the toenail to fall off. It is not recommended to remove a bruised nail but if it is badly injured, you may remove it to allow a growth of a new toenail. Although it may take several month to heal. Minor toe nail bruises normally heals on their own as a new nail grows to replace the damaged one.
If you experience a severe bruise on the toenail, it is important to visit your doctor right away. The doctor will make an assessment of your injury and provide the necessary treatment. You will be given some pain relievers and antibiotics to prevent infections and relieve the discomfort.

Bruised Toenail Treatment

Minor toenail bruises may heal on their own with little or no treatment, however severe bruises may require treatment to heal. It is always better to prevent the bruise than treating by taking the various precautions. In case it has already happened, there are various treatments on how to get rid of a bruise at home as follows:

  • Trim the toenail to become short as possible. Take care while trimming to avoid injuring yourself. You should also make the edge flat rather than rounded to avoid other complications such as ingrown toenail.
  • Apply a cold compress on the affected toe. You may use ice chips or cold water.
  • Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines such as acetaminophen to alleviate the pain, swelling and stiffness. Avoid aspirin as it may worsen your condition.
  • Elevate the affected area to reduce flow of blood.
  • Soak the affected toenail in warm water for several times a day until your condition improves. Warm water salt water helps to minimize pain as well as initiating the healing process.
  • Apply a topical antibacterial cream such as bacitracin and cover the affected toe and cover with a bandage to prevent infections.
  • Consider cushioning toe pads, they are best treatment for bruised toenail as they help to prevent friction of the toenail against the shoe.
  • Wear a shoe that has extra room for your toe until the toenail heals.
  • Have enough rest and avoid activities that may cause further bruising. Take off from duties that requires physical engagement. You may read a book, watch movies or listen to music.
  • Consider to apply some of the home remedy treatments that contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties such as turmeric paste.

Severe toe nail bruises may require a doctor’s assessment and treatment. You are supposed to visit your podiatrist right away you start noticing the symptoms below, he or she will ask you some questions and provide the required treatment.

  • Severe pain that is not relieved by pain killers
  • If you experience bleeding on other areas such as nose bleed, presence of blood in urine and stool
  • Fever, tingling and unusual sensation of the toe
  • Sore, redness and an open wound that may develop on the affected area.
  • Blue or grey discoloration near the bruised toenail.

Bruised Toe

Have you ever remove a shoe and noticed a bruise on your toe? The common reason that causes this condition is wearing ill-fitting shoe. The friction of the toe against the shoes causes the small blood capillaries near the affected area to rupture. They may leak blood in to internal tissues to form a bruise.
If you are a runner, you are likely to experience this problem especially after running downhill or exercising. A bruised toe may not be a serious condition but it may be quite painful. It may prevent you from doing your daily activities. It is important to take good care of the affected area especially when the bruise burst.
Minor bruises may heal on their own without treatment, but there are various treatments you may perform to relieve the pain, swelling and other discomfort on the affected area. Soaking the affected toe in cold water may help to relieve the pain or you my taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
Bruised toenail may form unpleasant discoloration. You may also spend most of your time and money on treating severe bruises. There are various measures you can employ to minimize this condition from happening. They include the following:

  1. Avoid ill-fitting shoes and boots

Ensure that you wear a shoe or boots that fits you properly. If you are an athlete, your shoe should provide enough space for your toes. Running or walking downhill causes the toes to be pushed against the shoe causing a trauma that may result to a bruise.

  1. Consider padding and wearing socks

Wearing socks with padding is very important in guarding your toes against injury with your shoe. You can simply find decent socks with paddings in the market. They are found in different varieties and brand names. You may consider buying thicker or lighter.

  1. Trim your toe nails

Long toe nails may also contribute to bruising especially when wearing closed shoes. You are supposed to keep your nails short. Be very careful when cutting the nails, you are supposed to cut then edges flat to avoid other complications.

  1. Use insoles

Fitting your boots and shoes with insoles may be the solution to your recurrent bruised big toe. Insoles may be a good alternative if you are not okay with thick socks.

Bruising Easily on Legs

Apart from bruised toenail, you can also experience this condition on other parts of your body. In most cases, a bruise normally occurs after an injury but there is other cases whereby you may experience bruising easily on legs without noticing the cause. Various factors may result to this condition as described below:

  • Over-exposure to the sun rays. Excessive exposure to the sun may lead to bruising especially to individuals with thinner skin such as older people and children. If your family has a life history of skin damage from the sun, you need to protect your skin while going out for long.
  • Thin skin. As you age, your skin becomes prone to bruising. Collagen is lost which makes your skin susceptible to minor injuries that may cause bruising.
  • Taking of certain medicines. Taking certain medicines may prevent the blood from clotting or they may cause thinning of blood. When taking such medicines, you are likely to develop a bruise from minor injuries.
  • Deficiency of certain nutrients. Low levels of vitamin C in your body may result to bruises on legs for no reason and other parts of your body. Such vitamins are important in production of collagen that protect the skin against minor injuries.
  • Reduction in body fat. Body fats are important as they provides the cushioning effects to the internal body tissues. You are likely to experience bruises when you are on a quick weight loss plan.
  • Internal body conditions. Blood diseases and diabetes among other conditions may also result to bruising easily on legs and other parts of your body.

Unexplained Bruises on Legs

Unexplained bruises on legs should worry you, it may be sending a signal of an internal body diseases. This condition may also occur on other parts of your body such as bruised toenail, face, chest, back and hands. You need to see your doctor right away for treatment. You will be diagnosed to determine the exact cause of your problem.
There are various blood diseases that may cause random bruises on legs and other parts of your body. Example of such diseases includes hemophilia, leukemia, and sepsis and platelets dysfunction. Some of this condition normally lead to deficiency or excessive of certain blood cells that leads to poor functioning. Therefore you may experience excessive bruising’s on your body that may disappear after treating the disease.

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How to Get Rid of A Bruise Faster, in 24 Hours, Get Rid, Old, Home Remedies

How do you treat a bruise? Get insights on how to get rid of a bruise by using various treatments and home remedies. You will also get enlightened on the various prevention measures of a bruise.

How to Get Rid of a Bruise

A bruise is formed when the small blood capillaries near your skin leaks into the underneath tissues of your skin. It happen after the skin is traumatized by an injury from bumping into an object or a fall. A bruise may also result from other internal body conditions among other causes.
It normally forms a black-blue mark on your skin that fades away within a period of two weeks. However, you can speed up the fading process by applying the following treatment:

  1. Apply a cool compress

Applying a cool compress on the affected areas helps to decrease the enlargement of the bruise as well as alleviating the pain.  This treatment helps to decrease the spread of the bruise. Immediately you realize a formation of this condition, fill a plastic bag with ice chips or you can also find a frozen vegetable bag of peas and corn and place over the affected part.
Alternatively, you can also wrap an ice cube into a clean towel and place over the bruised area. Leave the ice on the area for 15 minutes and repeat the procedure after every hour until the discomfort eases. Do not over-chill the skin as it may cause frostbite.

  1. Apply a warm compress

Warm compress the area after a few days of bruising, warmth is important in increasing the blood flow on the area to speed up the healing process. It also helps in decreasing swelling on the affected areas.
To apply this remedy, you simply deep a clean wash cloth or towel in warm water. Wring it to get rid of excess water and place it over the affected areas until it cools. Repeat the procedure for several times a day until your condition improves.

  1. Elevating the affected area

Elevation is effective on how to get rid of a bruise quickly on the leg. It helps to decrease the flow of blood on the affected area with the aid of gravity. This treatment helps to reduce discoloration and spreading of the bruise.
This treatment works best especially when the bruising has occurred on the leg, you will be required to rest on a coach and lift the affected leg slightly above the heart by the help of a pillow. Bruises on other parts of your body such as hands can also be elevated easily.

  1. Take over-the-counter painkillers

A bruise that result from intense injuries may cause a lot of paining. Taking painkiller may help to relieve the paining and other discomforts on the area. Avoid taking aspirin, it may worsen your condition as it aid in thinning of the blood. You may take acetaminophen in the correct dosage as directed by the pharmacist.

  1. Take enough rest

Having a rest helps in decreasing the flow of blood to the bruised area. It is important on how to get rid of a bruise as it helps to reduce swelling and the spread of bruising. Taking off duties also helps to avoid other injuries that may cause bruising easily. You may do something that does not require much physical activity such as listening to music, watching movie or reading a book.

Bruise Treatment

There are a number of things you can do to reduce bruising after an injury. You may treat your bruise while at home or you may also visit your doctor for treatment especially if the bruising is a companied with excessive pain and swelling. Some of the treatments includes the following:

  1. Reduce pain, bruising and swelling

Apply an ice immediately to reduce the pain, swelling and stiffness. Apply this treatment for 20 minutes twice daily until the discomfort is relieved. For the first 48 hours after bruising, avoid things and activities that may worsen your condition such as hot tubs, hot shower and alcoholic drinks. Having enough rest is also important to avoid further development of a bruise.
Elevate the affected area to reduce blood flow. This treatment is effective on how to get rid of a bruise by preventing the bruise from spreading. After 48 hours, you may apply a warm compress to reduce stiffness and to initiate the healing process.

  1. Treat the symptom

A bruise may cause inflammations, swelling and stiffness. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers may help to reduce such symptoms. Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen. Avoid aspirin as it may worsen your condition.

  1. Visiting your doctor for treatment

You may be required to consult your doctor for treatment if you experience the following:

  • A very painful swelling that may spread over a large area
  • If you are experiencing abnormal bleeding from other parts of your body such as nose, gums or presence of blood in urine and stool
  • Frequent, large and painful bruises that may develop on the face, back, arms, legs and other parts of your body for no reason
  • When the bruise fails to heal after 2-3 weeks or if you experience pain for more than two days after a minor bruising
  • A lump that may develop on the bruised area
  • If you have a family history of easy bruising

Home Remedies for Bruises

Bruises that results from minor injuries may heal on their own within a period of two weeks. However, there are various home remedy treatments that are effective on how to get rid of a bruise fast as they help to reduce the pain, swelling and the healing process. They include the following:

  • Apply arnica gel or ointment

Arnica herb was used from traditionally in treating bruises. It contain properties that helps in reducing pain, swelling and other discomforts caused by a bruise. Different medical scientist recommends the use of this remedy for bruises.  Obtain an ointment that contain arnica and apply over the affected area twice a day until your condition improves.

  • Use parsley leaves

Parsley leaves are also among the effective home remedies for bruises on arms and other parts. It is believed to reduce inflammation, swelling and fading away the discoloration. To use this remedy, take a handful of fresh parsley leaves and crush them to make a paste. Spread the paste over the affected area and cover it with an elastic bandage. Change the paste daily until the discoloration fades away.

  • Take pineapples

Consuming pineapples is also the best remedy in treating bruises. Pineapples contains digestive enzymes known as bromelain that helps in reducing swelling and other discomforts after an injury.  Bromelain also helps in breaking out blood clots. This is important in treating a bruise and preventing further blood clotting.

  • Rub the affected area with vinegar and warm water

A mixture of vinegar with water is also effective on how to get rid of a bruise overnight. It increases the circulation of blood near the skin surface which is important in dissipating the blood that may form a clot.  You simply rub on the affected area twice daily until the discoloration fades away.

  • Use onion

Onions contains anti-inflammatory properties that helps in alleviating the pain and swelling. You simply require an onion, cut it into small slices and place them over a bruise. You may use an elastic bandage to hold them on the affected area for 30 minutes.

  • Take vitamin C and K

Vitamin C play a very big role in your body, they take part in formation of collagen that provides defense to the blood vessels that are found on your skin. Taking such vitamins helps in treating and preventing bruised toenail and other unexplained bruising.
You may take vitamin C supplements, consider to take 500mgs of vitamin C pills or you may eat fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C. On the other hand, vitamin K helps in fading away the bruises. You may apply a cream that contain vitamin K 3-4 times a day until your condition improves.

How to Prevent Bruises

A bruise may develop when the blood vessels under your skin breaks and leak in to internal tissues. This is a condition that occurs after bumping into an object, surgery, cosmetic treatments or as a result of internal body conditions.
However, there are various measures and steps you can take to prevent or reduce the appearance of the bruise. Some of the measures are also effective on how to get rid of a bruise before it is formed. They include the following:

  • Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and other food staffs that are rich in vitamin C, K or B12 or folic acid. Deficiency of the above vitamins may lead to bruising since they can affect blood clotting. Apart from fruits and vegetables, you are supposed to include milk, cheese, yogurt, whole grains and cereals in your diet.
  • Avoid dietary supplements that may increase bruising. Most of the blood thinning medicines may also cause this condition. If you are prone to bruises, avoid taking fish oil, garlic, ginger, and vitamin E and ginkgo biloba supplements.
  • Avoid taking certain pain relievers such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or anticoagulants. In case you have to take them, visit your doctor to monitor your dosage.
  • A void excessive intake of alcohol. Excessive intake of alcohol may cause blood thinning especially when you are taking NSAIDS.
  • Increase your intake of proteins. Proteins are effective on how to prevent bruises from forming by strengthening blood vessels walls. Take enough fish, poultry, eggs, meat and nuts.
  • Guard yourself against injuries by wearing protective gear when engaging in sporting activities and rigorous exercises. They prevent bruises that results from a fall or hit.

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