Joggers! Care for runner's toe?

Joggers! Care for runner's toe?		ser25
		May 10 2008 14:17
There's a more detailed description in my journal. I thought that not everyone would want to read about black toenails. First of all, my shoes fit right. I've lost weight so they're even a bit roomier than last season (my outdoor runners are only worn April - Sept). I got my professionally-fitted shoes late last season so they're not worn out. I wear socks, I keep my nails trimmed, and I don't run down hills. What else can I do? How do I look after the black toenail I've got an prevent future ones? It's been black for about three weeks and I run 2 to 3 times a week for 20 to 60 minutes. Thanks for your suggestions.

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#1	skinny_kitty	May 10 2008 20:11
Is it your big toe? If it is, there's a way to lace your shoes to relieve the pressure on the first two toes. (How? I could send you a descriptive picture.) If it's another toe...um, I don't know what to do.
#2	ser25	May 10 2008 20:15
It's the second smallest toe. My big toes are healthy and happy. I think I know the lacing trick you're talking about. It's the one that makes it hard to loosen your laces past the first set of holes when you take them off, right?
#3	ucsbqt86	May 10 2008 21:10
That happened to me when I was training for my marathon. I actually lost my third toenail. It just happens, especially if you run A LOT. My suggestion is to take a break from running and try other forms of cardio to give your legs and feet a break. It's definitely not good for your joints if you do it constantly (everyday)
#4	skinny_kitty	May 11 2008 14:30
Actually it's the lacing that pulls one end of your shoe, relieving pressure where it's rubbing. Are you positive it's not a shoe issue?
#5	lillysmominpa	May 12 2008 14:03
When I ran Cross Country in high school my middle toe nail on both feet fell off in practice one day. (It never happened when I ran track) I am pretty sure this means you need a break. Why not try swimming? Or maybe biking would help give your toes a break. I hope your feet feel better!
#6	edo123	May 12 2008 15:46
Don't stop running unless your toenail is causing you pain. Taking a break from running means you need to start all over again - running is one of those sports where you are constantly working to condition your body - any break means starting over to some extend. As for your toenail this is a side effect of running. Incase you have not seen this: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/injury_archives/black_t oe.html In three years I have had just one black toenail - I was testing the elastic laces to reduce my triathlon transition time. The elastic laces kept my feet happy during the run but allowed my foot to side forward into the toebox of my shoe. Ultimately this allowed my toe to come under pressure causing a black toenail. I had no pain and was able to relieve the fluid build-up in 24 hours. Erik
#7	rtsandlin	May 12 2008 16:13
I had a black toenail once. If it throbs because of the pressure, it is best to drill a hole in it to relieve the pressure. It will feel so much better. My dad did it for me and it was the scariest moment of my life! He put a needle into a pencil eraser and slowly rotated it to drill the hole. It will fall of a few weeks after, but it will feel amazingly better. I know, sorry, that was a gross story.
#8	ser25	May 13 2008 04:26
To pierce or not to pierce? I wish it would hurry up and do whatever it's going to do so the healing could begin. It's starting to hurt when I run and it's looking black on one side and purple on the other. The black side is all raised. If I pierce it, it leaves a convenient hole for fungus and bacteria to get in. I don't know what to do...
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