Quick Answer
Purple nails can sometimes be a sign of an underlying medical condition and warrant a trip to the doctor. However, in many cases, purple nails are harmless. If the purple color is confined to the nail bed and appeared without any trauma, it is likely benign. But if the purple extends to the nail fold or cuticle, is accompanied by pain, throbbing or swelling, or appeared after injury, it is best to seek medical attention. Other causes like lack of oxygen, vitamin deficiencies, infections, and certain medications can also lead to purple nails.
What causes purple nails?
There are several potential causes for purple fingernails or toenails:
1. Benign causes
– Hematoma: Small hemorrhages under the nail from tiny trauma can leave a purple, blue or black color. This is painless and harmless. The discoloration grows out with the nail over time.
– harmless: A buildup of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, can cause purple, brown or black discoloration in the nails. This is not dangerous and is sometimes caused by medications, aging, or hormonal changes.
– Cold temperature: Exposure to extreme cold can temporarily turn the nails purple or blue. The color change is reversed once hands or feet are warmed.
– Thick nails: Having dense nails that are difficult to cut or trim allows staining from pigmented nail polishes or foods to become trapped and discolor the nails. Filing the nails can help restore normal color.
– Topical products: Using certain creams, oils and cosmetic products containing pigments or dyes can stain the nails purplish. This is harmless.
2. Potentially serious causes
– Lack of oxygen: A bluish-purple hue of the skin and nails can signal low oxygen levels in the blood, a condition called cyanosis. Causes include respiratory conditions, heart defects and lung problems. Medical treatment is needed.
– Medications: Some medications like chemotherapies, antimalarials and antibiotics can cause purple nail discoloration. Check with your doctor.
– Infections: Fungal and yeast infections under or on the nail can cause purple spots or streaks. Bacterial infections like pseudomonas may also discolor nails purple. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
– Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like lupus, psoriasis and thyroid disorders are associated with purple nails. Have your doctor rule out underlying autoimmune problems.
– Diabetes: Poor circulation and nerve damage in the extremities from diabetes can manifest as purple toes or fingers. Seek medical care.
– Vitamin deficiencies: Lack of B12, folate and other nutrients can be linked to purple discolored nails. Supplements may help after a blood test.
– Trauma: An injury turning the nail bed blackish-purple indicates bleeding (hematoma). See your doctor promptly if the area is also throbbing, swollen or painful.
– Cold agglutinin disease: This rare blood disorder can damage small blood vessels, causing purple nail beds. Treatment is needed.
– Cancer: Some cancers including lung cancer and metastases to the skin near nails can cause purple nail discoloration. See an oncologist immediately.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor promptly if your purple nails are accompanied by any of these signs:
– Pain, throbbing or tenderness of the nail
– Significant swelling around the nail
– The cuticle or skin next to the nail appears purple or blackish
– You injured the fingernail or toenail before the discoloration appeared
– You have other symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain
– The purple extends to the nearby skin
– Your nails are purple and you have diabetes
– You take medications that can cause purple nails as a side effect
– The purple color does not grow out with the nail over time
– You have no explanation for the purple nails and want a medical evaluation
Will purple nails go away on their own?
Mild purple discoloration from causes like hematomas, cold exposure or cosmetic staining will likely go away on their own as the nails grow out, which takes about 4 to 6 months for fingernails and up to 18 months for toenails.
But systemic causes of purple nails like diabetes, blood disorders and vitamin deficiencies will not resolve without proper treatment. See your doctor to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management.
With conditions like infections or injuries, treatment is needed to allow the nails to return to their normal color. Leaving certain causes of purple nails untreated can lead to worsening symptoms over time.
How to get rid of purple nails
Here are some remedies and tips for reducing mild purple discoloration of the fingernails or toenails:
– File and buff the nails to remove any stained, discolored parts of the nail. Avoid trimming too deeply.
– Apply lemon juice or white vinegar to the nails, which may lighten or bleach the purple color. Rinse after 15 minutes.
– Soak the nails in milk for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times per day. The enzymes in milk may lift stains over time.
– Rub olive oil into the nail bed and cuticles daily, which can improve circulation and minimize discoloration.
– Use an over-the-counter antifungal nail polish or cream for suspected fungal infections. See your doctor if not resolving.
– Take vitamin supplements if deficiencies are causing the discoloration. Have your blood levels tested.
– Keep the nails short and avoid injuring the nail bed, which can cause hematomas and purple spots.
– Stop using products that are staining the nails and switch to a strengthening clear nail polish.
– Quit smoking to improve circulation to the extremities which may reduce nail discoloration.
If home remedies are ineffective after 2 to 3 weeks, see your doctor to determine if an underlying condition needs treatment. For cancerous causes, seek immediate medical care.
Prevention
You can reduce the chances of developing purple nails by:
– Protecting nails from injury and avoiding repetitive trauma that can cause hematomas
– Wearing gloves for wet work and cold temperatures
– Managing any chronic medical conditions like lung disease, heart problems and diabetes
– Taking care of fungal infections quickly to prevent spreading
– Avoiding prolonged exposure to certain chemicals that can stain nails
– Getting manicures/pedicures only from reputable salons with sanitized tools
– Checking for cancer symptoms like nail changes at yearly physicals
– Eating a balanced diet with adequate vitamins and minerals
– Quitting smoking to improve circulation
– Applying sun protection to prevent melanoma that can discolor nearby nails
When to see a doctor for purple nails
Make an appointment with your doctor if:
– The purple nail color does not grow out over 4 to 6 months
– There is pain, swelling, throbbing or pus
– The skin around the nail also appears purple/black
– You injured the nail before the discoloration appeared
– You have trouble breathing or chest pain along with purple nails
– You take medications or have chronic conditions causing the purple hue
– Home remedies haven’t improved the discoloration after a few weeks
The bottom line
Mild purple discoloration confined to the nails is often harmless, but may warrant medical evaluation if it persists. Sudden nail trauma before the color change, or accompanying pain and swelling, should be examined promptly. Talk to your doctor to diagnose or rule out underlying conditions linked to purple fingernails or toenails. With treatment of the root cause, the nails can be restored to their normal color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my nails turning purple for no reason?
Common causes of purple nails without an obvious explanation include:
– Benign melanocytic hyperplasia – a buildup of melanin pigment
– Hematoma – small bleeding under the nail
– Medications – side effects of drugs like chemotherapies
– Autoimmune conditions – secondary manifestations
– Lung diseases – low oxygen reaching the extremities
– Diabetes mellitus – vascular problems in the peripheries
– Vitamin deficiencies – especially B12, folate, iron
See your doctor to determine the cause and necessary treatment if the purple persists.
Can trauma cause purple nails?
Yes, injury to a fingernail or toenail can cause what’s called a subungual hematoma, where blood pools under the nail. This appears as a purple, black or brown discoloration, and may also be tender. See a doctor promptly if the area is painful.
Are any medications linked to purple nails?
Certain medications can cause purple, brown or black discoloration as a side effect, including:
– Chemotherapy drugs – anthracycline drugs like doxorubicin are most associated
– Antimalarials – chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine
– Antibiotics – minocycline, levofloxacin, metronidazole
– Anti-seizure drugs – phenytoin
– Gold salts used to treat rheumatoid arthritis
– Amiodarone for irregular heart rhythms
Can fungus or yeast infections turn nails purple?
Yes, fungal and yeast infections of the nail bed can cause purple or black streaks and spots in the fingernails or toenails. This is due to accumulation of debris and pigments under the nail. See a podiatrist or dermatologist for antifungal treatments.
What vitamin deficiency causes purple nails?
Low levels of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12 and folate (B9), are associated with purple discoloration of the nails. Iron deficiency may also contribute. Your doctor can check your blood levels and prescribe supplements.
Can hypothermia turn nails purple?
Yes, exposure to severely cold temperatures can temporarily cause a bluish-purple hue of the skin and nails known as chilblains. It resolves when the affected area is warmed up. Using gloves helps prevent cold temperature-related purple nails.
How long does it take for purple nails to go away?
If the cause is trivial like cold exposure or nail polish staining, purple nails will grow out as the nail plate regenerates over 4 to 6 months. But systemic causes like diabetes require treatment of the underlying disease. See a doctor if the purple persists beyond 6 months.
| Cause | Duration |
|---|---|
| Hematoma | Resolves as nail grows out |
| Melanin deposits | Resolves as nail grows out |
| Medications | May persist, switch medications |
| Fungal infection | Treat underlying infection |
| Vitamin deficiency | Correct with supplementation |
| Diabetes | Treat diabetes |
| Trauma | Resolves as nail grows out |
| Cancer | Treat underlying malignancy |