Runners black toe ?!!?

yrigal
yrigal Posts: 1 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I took advice and bought new running shoes, even in a larger size. My second toe(next to big toe) continues to blister up, toenail turns black & falls off when running 3+ miles. I am finding out this happens to this one particular toenail in any shoe!! I try walk/run but same results around 3 mile mark. I dont want to be discouraged with the motivation of running but this is getting frustrating !!!! Any suggestions ??

Replies

  • dedication227
    dedication227 Posts: 29
    Have a lot of Marathon runner friends and they say "runners reward" you had a good run...
  • voluptuous_veggie
    voluptuous_veggie Posts: 476 Member
    Your toe falls off?!?!?! I really hope you mean your toenail.
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    Better socks
  • shaj316
    shaj316 Posts: 161
    Well that doesn't sound good! Perhaps there is a fungus among us?
  • RAFValentina
    RAFValentina Posts: 1,231 Member
    Maybe it's time to go for a gait analysis...if your running shoes aren't the right type for your biomechanics you could be putting more weight onto a part of your foot unneccessarily. For instance I have pancake flat feet, no arches. If I don't go for a medium arch support shoe, I end up with terrible achilles tendinitis and lots of hardskin on my outer toes as well as bunions... it's the opposite side of the foot affected by high arches. Also, you may need a wider fit as your toes may be being squashed, when you run and push off with your foot, your toes naturally splay a little. You could be cutting the blood supply temporarily off to your toes causing blood blisters and even minor tissue necrosis. See a podiatrist, your doctor or a running shop specialist for more tailored, specific and expert advice! Hope that helps! :) x
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    :noway: That seems like a question for a podiatrist!
  • dmanis75
    dmanis75 Posts: 1
    I recommend getting fitted for running shoes at a running shop. You pay a little extra for the shoes, but it's worth it.
  • daj150
    daj150 Posts: 815 Member
    First question: Do you wear socks?

    Just a quick run-down, runner's toe generally occurs when a runner wears new shoes and no socks. These shoes and/or socks (if you are wearing them) usually don't fit properly: too loose or too tight. Keep in mind your foot compresses and expands while running due to the weight of your body pushing down for the duration of your run. Runner's toe is caused by the friction at the front of the shoe. The extra friction causes your toe-nail to bang against the toe of the shoe.

    Here is what you should do:
    1. Make sure you have socks that fit.
    2. Go to a running store with people who know how to fit you for running shoes.
    3. You also may want to go to a running specialist to find out how you can improve your running form.

    A common problem with runners who already have #1 and #2 taken care of is that they run with impact on their toes. Flat foot running is best and heel running is bad but most common. Toe running is pretty common as well, just not as much as heel.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    I don't run, but i understand this is pretty common when you wear the wrong shoes. my trainer said it happens when your shoes are too big -- even if you're not running - because your feet swell when you work out. are you buying bigger sizes in the same brand of shoes? maybe you need to find a running shoe (maybe a different brand) that allows more room in the area where that toe is?
  • StaciO
    StaciO Posts: 998
    I have had this happen whe I walk in an endurance 3-day walk (60 miles). Only my second toe and for me only on one foot. Somehow (and I don't know how) only that toenail hits the top of my shoe. The consistant tapping on that toenail causes friction underneath the toenail and I get a blister under the nail which then turns the nail black then it falls off. It doesn't happen when I run though but I am only running 3.5 miles at a time. I have been fitted for shoes several times and been to the podiatrist. He had me snugly tape around that toenail before heading out and it helped. I still got a blister under the toenail but not as big and there was a little bruising under the toe nail but it didn't fall off this year.
  • dmoses
    dmoses Posts: 786 Member
    I have had the same thing happen to me, both feet, same toes. I saw these in a Footsmart catalog, and thought it certainly couldn't hurt. I wear them on my second toes every time I run or walk at any fast pace.

    http://www.footsmart.com/P-Gel-Toe-Cap-Set-of-2-98122.aspx

    Hope you can find something to help. I hate getting those black/purple toenails...
  • Halothane
    Halothane Posts: 69 Member
    As outlined above.......Start with your socks and your shoes.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I'm having this problem now that I'm regularly running more than 4 miles. For me, it's the middle toe on my right foot which is my longest. I think part of the problem is that most shoes are starting to slope downward right at the point where my foot is longest so that toe is taking the brunt of the impact. I went back to the running store last weekend and traded for a larger shoe so I'm now in a shoe that is 1 1/2 sizes bigger than my "regular" shoes. I'm hoping this helps fix the problem.

    I've considered that I need to tape my toes together, so I may be trying that next. It's definitely not my socks which are form fitting and have a seam that sits near the base of my toes.

    P.S. For others with this issue, you might find you have a problem with your heels slipping as you go to a larger size. I know I did. I've found that Mizunos don't cause this problem and I can wear these bigger shoes without slippage.
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