How many Black Toenails make you a Runner?

[Z-Knight]

I have 3 and a half as of right now...can I be considered a runner now?

Kind of a funky topic, sorry!

Actually my real question is what can I do to fix them? I had one where the nail totally popped off and two others that had a badly growing nail and I had to shear it all the way back to the base - exposing the black bed beneath. I've had these for months now since I got better shoes - the previous ones did all the damage. I'm trying to at least figure out how to get rid of the blackness of the bed and pretty much have given up on saving the beauty of the nails - I'm a guy. Worst case I can get sparkly nail polish or something - I'm leaning towards the 'or something'.

 

[bumbershoot]

I might see a podiatrist that is friendly to runners, personally. (always get the doctors who are runners themselves, IMO...my brother has gone through heck to get proper diagnoses and help, with doctors who say things like "of course you hurt, you run" when he had a hernia)


That said, I don't have any toenail issues. Decent shoes, lots of bodyglide all over the toes, and I trim the nails about 3 days before a long run, plus luck. They've been sore while still working out the shoes, but they haven't turned colors.

(of course, in accidents I've lost two nails quickly and traumatically...one fingernail and one toenail...so maybe the universe is letting me have those as "enough" )

 

[FFigawi]

Not much you can do to fix them well after the fact. When you notice a new one, draining the blister behind the nail will take some of the pressure off the nail. Having a pair of shoes that fits properly is the best prevention, as is lacing your shoes tightly enough to keep your foot stable and not sliding forward into the front of the toe box. Keeping your nails short, as suggested by @bumbershoot, is helpful too.

 

[Anisum]

I'm now horrified because I haven't been running for very long but this has never happened to me. I have good running shoes so hopefully that won't be the case but I think I would be disgusted if this ever happened to me.

 

[Ariel484]

I'm now horrified because I haven't been running for very long but this has never happened to me. I have good running shoes so hopefully that won't be the case but I think I would be disgusted if this ever happened to me.

It's not a given that it will happen...I've been running for 7ish years and I haven't had one (yet).

 

[ZellyB]

I don't know of any cure after it happens other than just letting it heal and the new toenail grow in (which takes FOREVER). I've had a tendencey to get them on my big toes once I get into higher miles (like 15+). So far this year with training for a half instead of a full, I've been okay so far. Some soreness after a run, but no black toenails yet. I also switched to a shoe with a bigger toe box and I think that might be helping as well.

 

[Z-Knight]

Sigh, well, I've effectively lost those 3 nails then because when they do grow back they are not nice and smooth and the nail bed is still blackish - and I'm pretty sure it isn't some fungus. I might need to see a podiatrist just to get them cleaned out better.

 

[LSUlakes]

I have run 3 marathons so far and I have never had this happen to me... until last week. I have no idea why now, but I will take it as a badge of honor. It doesn't hurt and I don't really care how my toes look, so we will see what happens. For the time being the toenail is still attached.

 

[RnbwSktles]

I've never had black toenails, but some of my nails are starting to look funky. I just keep them painted

 

[Anisum]

It's not a given that it will happen...I've been running for 7ish years and I haven't had one (yet).

Oh good. Hearing from you and the others who haven't had this gives me hope.

 

[GreatLakes]

I also haven't had any problem with my toenails turning black or falling out. I would make sure you are wearing the correct shoes and, just as importantly, tying them correctly. There are plenty of articles out there about alternate ways to tie your shoes based on the problem you are having so I'd look into that as well. If you haven't been to a good running store to have your gait and foot analyzed that should be the first thing you do.

A podiatrist or sports medicine specialist with experience with this also couldn't hurt.

 

[MissLiss279]

I will say that I have been to a running store and have been properly fitted for shoes, yet I still got blisters on my toes - which resulted in two or three toenails falling off at one point. I think my problem might be that I dig my toes into the bottom of my shoes when I run. I have found that Injinji toe socks have prevented blisters from forming. I used to get blisters after every long run, but I have not recently since I switched socks.

 

[DWorldOrBust]

I will say that I have been to a running store and have been properly fitted for shoes, yet I still got blisters on my toes - which resulted in two or three toenails falling off at one point. I think my problem might be that I dig my toes into the bottom of my shoes when I run. I have found that Injinji toe socks have prevented blisters from forming. I used to get blisters after every long run, but I have not recently since I switched socks.

This gives me hope! No black nails but horrible blisters after the Disney Half last weekend. I promptly ordered Injinji toe socks! I am also getting new shoes. Hopefully the combination means no more horrible blisters in my future. =)

 

[cavepig]

Luckily I've Been running for 22 years and no black toe nails ever, my shoes always have toe room & I keep my nails short. I have been wearing injinji toe socks for awhile now and no more blisters under my toes. Sorry you have to deal with them & hope they recover well or well however a nail recovers

 

[DOOM1001]

I have very few issues with my feet when running,I do put bodyglide on just in case if I'm running a half or longer,with that said about 4 days after running Goofy the nail on my right ring toe(2nd smallest one)fell off.I had no issues with it during the races,no pain or discomfort at all and I was actually the one who took it off when I randomly touched it and noticed it felt soft and looking like it was going to fall.It came off easy,also without pain but not all the way to the back of the nail.It wasn't surprising as this nail always has a crack near the middle,must be the way I walk or run that puts stress on the nail weakening it,but like I said no pain or discomfort at all.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Oh god. NONE. No lost toenails. I can't handle it. haha. This is my nightmare. I have a fear of seeing anything that should be inside me. I can barely touch my own belly button knowing it used to be a hole

I keep my nails very short and buy my shoes at least a full size larger than I wear normal shoes. I generally only get blisters from things like heels or thongs where the shoe rubs directly onto my toe without a sock between it. But, I do sometimes also spray my feet with deodorant spray. I actually started it years ago when I went to Disney to keep my feet from sliding in my sandals, but have found it also helps to stop it when running!

 

[Z-Knight]

I've only been running much more since last Thanksgiving and have had these 3 bad toes within the first 4 months. Mostly because of wrong shoes.

Regarding tying shoes...here is one video of how to use that extra hole in your shoes:

http://www.sun-gazing.com/extra-shoelace-hole-used-wish-knew-earlier/

 

[Corpsebride]

I have 3 and a half as of right now...can I be considered a runner now?

Kind of a funky topic, sorry!

Actually my real question is what can I do to fix them? I had one where the nail totally popped off and two others that had a badly growing nail and I had to shear it all the way back to the base - exposing the black bed beneath. I've had these for months now since I got better shoes - the previous ones did all the damage. I'm trying to at least figure out how to get rid of the blackness of the bed and pretty much have given up on saving the beauty of the nails - I'm a guy. Worst case I can get sparkly nail polish or something - I'm leaning towards the 'or something'.

I've been running for a couple of years. I've done 6 half marathons this year. I've never had toenail problems until I changed runnings goes from asics to New balance. So, I knowfor me, it's all about the shoes. Unfortunately, I've discovered that they just have to grow out. Trimming them back as they grow out helps. But, yeah. Pretty gross....lol

 

[DWorldOrBust]

Now I feel like some kind of Franken-foot ... sheesh, I've only been running much more since last Thanksgiving and have had these 3 bad toes within the first 4 months. Mostly because of wrong shoes.

Regarding tying shoes...here is one video of how to use that extra hole in your shoes:

http://www.sun-gazing.com/extra-shoelace-hole-used-wish-knew-earlier/

Thank you for posting that information! I never knew it and can't wait to start tying my shoes appropriately. =)

 

[BuckeyeBama]

This comes from friction on the top of the nail. If you run long enough you will almost certainly get one eventually - probably after being forced to try new shoes. I have been running off and on for 30+ years and have lost many nails, as have most of my friends who run.