Talon noir, also referred to as calcaneal petechiae, is an asymptomatic discoloration of acral skin that results from intraepidermal hemorrhage caused by shear-force injuries. Talon noir translated from French means black heel. It most aptly describes lesions upon the feet, particularly the heel, but lesions upon the hand or other sites can also occur. Some dermatologists use the same nosology to refer to both processes. Because the condition can be seen in varied locations and for varied reasons, some dermatologists have suggested the term posttraumatic cutaneous intracorneal blood.

Talon noir tends to affect the posterior foot, the heel, the lateral foot, and the palm. Athletic events often produce lateral shearing forces that cause tearing of blood vessels in the papillary dermis. This creates punctate papillary dermal hemorrhages, leading to extravasation of blood into the epidermis and intracorneal retention of hemoglobin. Because of its location in the stratum corneum, it cannot be cleared by phagocytic cells.

Basketball, lacrosse, football, soccer, and cross-country running are frequent causes of talon noir.

The condition is asymptomatic, and because it is painless, the etiological events are often unrecognized. Because of the discoloration and generally rapid acquisition, patients may be concerned that they have an acral melanoma.