Runners toes?

[benvonwojo]

Hello fellow runners:

I dont want to gross anybody out, so stop here if you are squemish about foot problems. Does anyone get a black and blue nail bed under the toenail after running for awhile? My 2nd toe on both feet get swollen, red, bruised and until the nail falls off. Given how yucky this sounds you would think that it would hurt a lot; but it doesnt hurt at all. Any suggestions for avoiding this in the future? Or is this like playing the guitar and having to live with building the callouses on your fingers until your body adjusts?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Mckmain]

For me this normally happens when running alot of downhill...either the shoes are too tight or else too big. So you need to find the right shoe and you can usually avoid it in the future......Carole

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

I am having a lot of trouble with this as well! The thing is, I cannot get them to ever grow back normal! I lost 3 on lefty and 2 on righty! I did go to a specialty running store and have them look at my foot to properly fit me with the correct shoe and size. I told them what has been happening. I bought the shoes almost a month ago but still had one more casualty!

I am actually going to go see a doctor regarding the issue. I told my mom about it and she said my Nana had that and she was NOT a runner or did ANY exercise (I'm actually giggling at the thought of my Nana running:7 )

 

[dani21496]

Here's some great info from Runner's World about runners and toenails. (2 links)


http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-78-0-0-8714,00.html

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-78-0-0-405,00.html

 

[amyg]

When your toes bang against the top of your shoe repeatedly, you get the dreaded black toenails. If you have wide and big enough shoes, it won't likely happen, unless as Carole points out, you run downhill a lot.

Once the blood blister under your toenail has formed, I'm not sure what your options are without losing the nail., since the blister puts a lot of pressure on the nail which is what makes it actually fall off.

 

[dani21496]

>Once the blood blister under your toenail has formed, I'm not
>sure what your options are without losing the nail., since the
>blister puts a lot of pressure on the nail which is what makes
>it actually fall off.

You can do this according to that article above:

Remedies:
To relieve the pressure, you need to make a hole in the nail and drain the blood. Either heat the tip of a small, straightened paper clip and use it to burn through the nail until a drop of blood comes out, or sterilize the tip of an X-Acto knife or 1/16-inch drill bit with heat or alcohol, and drill a hole in the nail by spinning the instrument between your finger and thumb. Stick your foot in a pan of water until all the blood comes out. (If you're squeamish about doing this, ask a friend to help, or see a sports-oriented physician.) Apply an antibacterial cream. Relieve inflammation with ice and anti-inflammatories.

If your black toenail isn't painful, you don't have to drain the blood. Lubricate with antifungal cream and cover it with a bandage. But monitor the nail, as it will probably loosen and fall off over the next few months. When it gets loose, pull it off and continue to apply the antifungal cream. Finally, buy a pair of running shoes with more room in the toe box.