Fitness

Yes, its kind of gross, but the toenails on my abnormally long second toes keep falling off.  On both feet.  I get it from my Dad's side of the family--both of his sisters were figure skaters and regularly lost their second toenails as well.

It used to happen once in a blue moon just from walking, but now that I'm more active (running a couple times per week) it is happening frequently.  As soon as the nail is fully grown, it turns black and blue and a couple months later, it will peel off with a new nail underneath.  Is there anything I can do to help this? 

I'm sure that its from my running shoes.  I'm going to be needing a new pair of shoes pretty soon...so I was wondering if anyone else has this problem and knows of a brand that will work better for me.  I currently have a pair of Nike Air Walks....

Any advice--short of cutting off my toes!--would be appreciated.

Maybe go up a 1/2 size so you have extra room for swelling?  Or could you wrap that toe so the nail isn't hitting the tip of your shoe? 

Good luck, I hope you find something that works.  I can't imagine loosing your toenail is very comfortable. 

Hi --

This is something I would think that a qualified fitter at a running store would be able to help with.  Not a big sporting goods store, but a specialty store that sells just running shoes and gear -- those guys are usually experienced, avid runners and have tons of knowledge to share.  I would go there and have them fit you for shoes.  Once you know the brand and style, you can look for a less expensive place to buy them if you want.  Generally though, were I live (Northeastern U.S.), the specialty store is only a few dollars more and the advice and relationship you end up with is worth every extra dollar spent. 

Good luck!

Original Post by paularuck:

Hi --

This is something I would think that a qualified fitter at a running store would be able to help with.  Not a big sporting goods store, but a specialty store that sells just running shoes and gear -- those guys are usually experienced, avid runners and have tons of knowledge to share.  I would go there and have them fit you for shoes.  Once you know the brand and style, you can look for a less expensive place to buy them if you want.  Generally though, were I live (Northeastern U.S.), the specialty store is only a few dollars more and the advice and relationship you end up with is worth every extra dollar spent. 

Good luck!

 I second this advice.  I was getting blisters on the tips of my toes.  I went to a small specialty running store and the guy there looked at the tread of my current shoes and measured my feet.  They sent me out of there with a pair of Mizuno running shoes that cost more than I wanted to spend, but take care of my feet perfectly.  The money was worth it.

Your toe nail is being damaged from repeated blows to the end of your shoe. My bf has the same thing and when he runs ultra marathons he always looses his toe nails. If you fit your running shoes so that your longest toe doesn't touch the end of the toe box it should help. Go to buy runners at the end of the day, preferably after a long run or walk. You can also try 'toe condoms' - little cushions that slip over your toes and that should help protect the nail.

In line with this subject (as I am experiencing the same lost toenails on both feet, same toes as OP) AND I am now getting blisters as well...

Is there any particular store?  I see Fleet Feet sponsors a lot of 5k's that I've done but don't know if they're the type of store you are all talking about.  I'm in the Chicago area so I would think there'd be something around here.

I would look for a locally owned running store rather than a chain (although you can sometimes find knowledgeable folks in a place like Fleet Feet).  For example, the local running store my family uses is owned by a marathon runner and that's all they do -- running shoes, running gear, running clinics, etc.  While my running days are now behind me thanks to arthritis in my knees, both of my kids are avid marathon runners -- and I still prefer running shoes to other types of athletic shoes even for just running around town.  These guys know their stuff -- they can take one look at your feet and your old shoes and know just where your mechanical strengths and weaknesses are -- that's the kind of place you want.

Getting my feet fitted at a running store is a great idea--I've never had it done before and I'm definitely going to be needing new shoes soon.   I don't mind spending extra money if I can get a shoe that works better for me, plus my company has a Wellness Plan that they will match up to $200 per year for any health-related activities that employees spend money on (gym memberships, shoes, etc.)

Thanks for your advice--I appreciate hearing that I'm not alone in this toe-nail loss business!

If it helps...I have rounded toes also, with a long second toe and I race 5 and 10kms'.  I find that I like Saucony and Mizuno though you also have to look at your pronation and cushioning needs.  I also agree with going up a size OR MORE in your shoe, you should have at least a half inch of room at the end of your foot!  I wear at least one size larger in my runners.

Your running shoes are too small!  I wear a size 9 shoe, but for running shoes I have to buy a 10 1/2!!  MOST women wear their running shoes too small, you should go to a running specialty store and have them suggest the right shoe & size for you.

I have a long second toe as well, and the reason it would hurt is probably because it's hitting the edge of your toe box. Aggressively. Every stride. I switched to shoes that were 1 size larger and never again.

My second toes are also my longest toes.  I would second (or third?) the recommendation to size up your shoes.  It's best to get help with that from a specialty running store.  You basically want a shoe whose arch support will hit you in the right place while leaving you a lot of room in the toe box.

I wear size 7-7.5 (US) dress shoes and size 9 running shoes. 

Holy cats!!  A running shoe two sizes bigger than your dress shoes, megsambit!  I never would have believed it.  My feet are in the 7.5 - 8 dress shoe range, so maybe a 9 - 9.5 would work for me.

I didn't realize that it was because my shoes were too small.....bummer.  But that's great to know BEFORE I go out and get a new pair.  I had always thought if I bought shoes that were too big, they would just rub and cause blisters--good to hear the voice of experience speaking out there!