Black Big Toe Nail... HELP!

KALMdown

So last week, I did a very long hike. I was warned that coming back downhill was just as hard, especially on the toes. So after 6 hours of hiking downhill my right big toenail is BLACK! Okay, Black & blue. It's sore and sensitive and seems like it'll be like that for awhile. I've read that runners experience black nails too.

My question is, what should I do to ease the pain so that I can put running shoes back on and hit the machines? I haven't put on a pair of shoes in a week. Any recommendations?

sarahmrimmer

3 of my toe nails did this when I first started running. They were no longer attached underneath only along the side and bottom edges of the skin... Once they came off they felt much better, the discoloration washed off and new nail started to grow. I just covered them with a bandaid the first week or so after and kept on running. They harden and you'll no longer need bandages after a couple of days.

Bobby_Clerici

You won't like this - CUT THAT OUT!
A Dr can do it, but I just douse my toe with alcohol, slice it down the middle and to either side, then yank it out with needle nose pliers.
OUCH!

MtnKat

I read in a book from Runners World that you are supposed to drain the blood (cut it out). I just shivered when I read that lol. Sorry to hear about your toenail. I also read that it's from having too tight of a toe box in your shoe...though I could be remembering wrong lol.

KatherineVictoria

that used to happen to me every season for soccer... and the rest of my toes still do it. I had to have the doctor drill a hole in my nail to release the pressure... and blood (EW). I unfortunately has to sit out for two weeks because of the shoe issue your having. but if you get the doctor to help out it'll go faster, and chances that your nail will fall off is pretty great.

daffodilsoup

You won't like this - CUT THAT OUT!
A Dr can do it, but I just douse my toe with alcohol, slice it down the middle and to either side, then yank it our with needle nose pliers.
OUCH!

OP, for the love of god, don't take your own toenail out. It's a quick way to an infection.

Go to a podiatrist and have them look at it - sometimes they just need time to turn completely black and fall off, but you'll want to make sure there's no infections in the nail bed from the nail pushing up against your shoe while walking downhill.

yo_andi

that used to happen to me every season for soccer... and the rest of my toes still do it. I had to have the doctor drill a hole in my nail to release the pressure... and blood (EW). I unfortunately has to sit out for two weeks because of the shoe issue your having. but if you get the doctor to help out it'll go faster, and chances that your nail will fall off is pretty great.

I have that going on every season for rugby/Aussie rules as well. Nature of kicking sports I guess. Definitely enlist the doctor's help. It'll save you aggravation in the long run.

rininger85

I would take a sewing needle and heat it up with a lighter (to sterilize it) and while its hot press it through the toe nail where its black (it will melt through the nail and won't hurt as much as you might think it would) then it is likely to bleed a lot, you can help it once the hole is in the nail by applying light pressure to help push the blood through the hole in the nail...

note that you need to do this pretty quickly after the nail turns black or you'll be in pain from the pressure of the blood build up under the nail and it will eventually dry up and you'll have to wait for the nail to grow out or fall off, but I've found if I relieve the pressure fast enough the nail won't turn black (or will turn back to a lighter color once the blood is drained) and won't get the pressure build up

cordianet

I would take a sewing needle and heat it up with a lighter (to sterilize it) and while its hot press it through the toe nail where its black (it will melt through the nail and won't hurt as much as you might think it would) then it is likely to bleed a lot, you can help it once the hole is in the nail by applying light pressure to help push the blood through the hole in the nail...

note that you need to do this pretty quickly after the nail turns black or you'll be in pain from the pressure of the blood build up under the nail and it will eventually dry up and you'll have to wait for the nail to grow out or fall off, but I've found if I relieve the pressure fast enough the nail won't turn black (or will turn back to a lighter color once the blood is drained) and won't get the pressure build up

I've done this before with success. If you're squeamish, certainly go see a doctor, but they'll pretty much do the same thing.

Tony_Brewski

You won't like this - CUT THAT OUT!
A Dr can do it, but I just douse my toe with alcohol, slice it down the middle and to either side, then yank it our with needle nose pliers.
OUCH!

^^^ BAM! Like a boss! ^^^

futuresize8

That crashing sound was me fainting at the idea of cutting/removing your own toe nail. I'm back now.

The only thing worse than a sore, black toenail is an intensely infected toe. Which you may get if you perform surgery on yourself. Call the doctor and let a pro care for it! Otherwise, you may sabatoge future walks for a long time while your toe heals.

Good luck and feel better!

rininger85

I would take a sewing needle and heat it up with a lighter (to sterilize it) and while its hot press it through the toe nail where its black (it will melt through the nail and won't hurt as much as you might think it would) then it is likely to bleed a lot, you can help it once the hole is in the nail by applying light pressure to help push the blood through the hole in the nail...

note that you need to do this pretty quickly after the nail turns black or you'll be in pain from the pressure of the blood build up under the nail and it will eventually dry up and you'll have to wait for the nail to grow out or fall off, but I've found if I relieve the pressure fast enough the nail won't turn black (or will turn back to a lighter color once the blood is drained) and won't get the pressure build up

I've done this before with success. If you're squeamish, certainly go see a doctor, but they'll pretty much do the same thing.

I've had to do it a few times... it relieves the pressure and makes it so its not black (might still be a redish color but once the blood is drained its not black unless you waited too long and it already started drying)... and as far as infections... you only put a small hole in the nail... you can put some antibiotic and a bandaid on it if you're concerned about infection, as well as using peroxide... I wouldn't attempt to take the nail off... it will either be OK after relieving the pressure, or eventually will fall off on its own... don't try forcing it!

veghel

When I got my first black toe nail it really hurt for a couple of days, then the pain was gone. I didn't do anything to it except put a band aid on it when I went walking. Then the other day I looked down and the nail was gone, I didn't feel a thing.

SueInAz

My middle toe is my longest on both feet and I've had this happen to both of them until I finally got a pair of running shoes that were bigger. If the whole toenail is black I'm going to add to the suggestion to go to the doctor. You're better off letting someone else do what needs to be done in a sterile setting and who can keep going even if you pass out. :laugh: If you don't have a regular doctor, go to Urgent Care.

If it's just a spot on your toe nail, you can use the pointy tool from a pedicure kit to scrape away at the hyponchium on the underside of your nail (which is probably lifted) until you hit the blood blister under there. Letting it drain will help relieve the pressure and pain. You'll probably lose the toenail at some point.

KALMdown

Thanks everyone! I can't psych myself up to cut my own nail off but I did slip a sterilized needle under the nail and sure enough a lot of blood gushed out. NICE! Feels better already. The cuticle area feels bruised so I jus push down on it and the nail to press out as much blood as possible. The nail feels semi-loose but I can see that it's still attached in some places. Hoping it heals on its own since I'm going on vacation next week. Maybe so
some hiking but mostly beach. Yippee!

Appreciate all the info!

rininger85

Thanks everyone! I can't psych myself up to cut my own nail off but I did slip a sterilized needle under the nail and sure enough a lot of blood gushed out. NICE! Feels better already. The cuticle area feels bruised so I jus push down on it and the nail to press out as much blood as possible. The nail feels semi-loose but I can see that it's still attached in some places. Hoping it heals on its own since I'm going on vacation next week. Maybe so
some hiking but mostly beach. Yippee!

Appreciate all the info!

it won't "heal" on its own, if it feels loose then you are going to lose it eventually, but try not to force it - it will come off when its ready... when I've had them come off before they get to where they are just barely hanging on and then start snagging on things, that is when I would cut them off (when they are grown out enough that they won't hurt, and they are barely hanging on).. as far as ripping the nail of I wouldn't attempt it.. I found it quite strange when I lost the first nail that there is really like a second nail underneath it that is as hard as your nails, but not as smooth as normal nails... I think the worst one I ever had was when I smashed my finger with a 40+ lbs toolbox as I was heaving it over the side of my truck bed and it landed on my hand that was on the rail... ouch!