Have Bacterial Meningitis, Toenails Turned Black. Is This A Circulatory Issue?

Posted on Tue, 16 Apr 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 Answered on

Tue, 7 May 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : A friend of mine has Bacterial Meningitis.
She is not awake and her toenails turned black. Is this a circulatory issue? What are the next signs the disease is progressing versus getting better?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

Toenails turning black could be due to circulatory failure, however, it is not a specific sign. More important features of circulatory failure are low blood pressure, cold & clammy extremities (feet and hands), low urine output, etc.

Clinical improvement would lead to an improvement in consciousness level, and he would start opening eyes and responding to calls.

Absence of fever and decreased headache/vomiting are other features suggestive of improvement.

I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar