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J Pediatr Health Care 2021 Mar-Apr;35(2):235-238. Epub 2020 Dec 10.

When evaluating pediatric patients with hyperpigmented lesions on the plantar aspect of the feet, the differential diagnosis should include talon noir, acral melanoma, and verruca with thrombosis. Talon noir are asymptomatic brown-black pigmented macules formed by intraepidermal hemorrhages of the feet caused by shear-force injury. Spontaneous resolution of talon noir typically occurs within 2-3 weeks. Read More

Australas J Dermatol 2008 Aug;49(3):148-51

Cátedra de Dermatología, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile.

We describe a series of six patients with superficial cutaneous haemorrhages of the feet, including a classical case of black heel (talon noir) and other similar cases with diverse clinical presentations that do not match the typical description of that process. The main differences lay in production mechanism, morphology and location. The causes of these 'atypical' lesions were: burns with hot sand, friction against the rough edge of a swimming pool, wearing new shoes, jogging, or pricking a blister with a needle. Read More

Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax 1991 Apr;80(14):343-4

Dermatologische Universitätsklinik, Kantonsspital Basel.

Hautarzt 1980 Nov;31(11):606-9

Morphology, histopathology, and etiology of hemorrhagic hyperkeratoses on the feet--in the English and French literature called "calcaneal petechiae", "black heel", and "pseudochromhidrosis plantaris" are reviewed from the literature. Own investigations of 596 19-year-old healthy male individuals yielded an incidence of 2.85 percent. Read More

Cutis 1977 Sep;20(3):393-6

"Black heel" (calcaneal petechiae) is a traumatic lesion affecting the back or posterolateral aspect of the heel. It is seen almost exclusively in adolescentes or young adults engaged in active sports, notably basketball, but also football, lacrosse, tennis, and so forth. The lesion is disposed horizontally at the upper dege of the calcaneal fat-pad and consists of grouped punctate hemorrhages, the nature of which is revealed by repeated paring of the lesion. Read More

Australas J Dermatol 1973 Dec;14(3):132-5