What It Really Means When Your Toenails Turn Blue

Although unbeknownst to some, popular nail colors follow the seasons. A ballet slipper pink for spring, a tropical hue to match our summer dresses, and a moody purple polish to set off the perfect contrast from the golden leaves of fall. Yes, we willingly change our nail color all the time, but what's concerning is when our toenails change blue in hue without the contribution of a polish. Here's what's really going on if this is the case.

According to Healthline, that bruise you got from stubbing your toe while running out to meet friends has a fancier, medical name. A subungual hematoma is what the bruising under the nail bed is called, which can have a bluish-purple color. It is normally not a cause for concern and can be treated at home with over-the-counter pain medication, ice, and elevation. Another common explanation for suddenly blue-tinted toenails could from the cold and your body temperature has dropped, or from poor circulation.

If you can't remember having recently stubbed or experienced trauma to your toenails, then the reason one or more of your toenails turn blue could be from a fungal infection, states WebMD. Anyone is susceptible to contracting a nail fungus, although it is more prevalent in older adults and people with poor circulation. Other causes for increased chances of developing a nail fungus are frequent sweating, walking around barefoot, or not tending to a cut or scrape near your nail, shares Healthline.

And it's not always the entire nail that turns blue. If you notice a bluish tinted circle on your toenail, then it could be a condition called a blue mole or blue nevus, shares WebMD. Although probably harmless, it is worth making an appointment with your doctor or podiatrist to take a look because in rare cases, it has been known to be cancerous.

In addition, Healthline shares other rare conditions blue toenails may be a symptom of as argyria (toxicity from overexposure to silver), and Wilson's disease (hepatolenticular degeneration). Both need to be diagnosed by a medical professional and treatment options will be shared. So go ahead and keep painting your toenails in accordance to the seasons. Just double-check what color your actual nails are every time you switch the polish.