Black toe nails - do I need a chiropodist?

Yorky · 08-04-2016 07:42PM #1

I've got black toenails from running and have noticed they're a lot thicker than they should be - maybe two to three times normal nail thickness.

They're not painful but I'm not sure whether I should just leave them or visit a chiropodist?

Would appreciate any advice / comments.

Thanks in advance

uck51js9zml2yt · 08-04-2016 07:50PM

See a chiropodist its not normal

Wild Garlic · 08-04-2016 08:04PM

I've two feet Frodo Bagins would be proud of I've lost that many toe-nails. Just assumed it was normal for the running fraternity.

kit3 · 08-04-2016 08:15PM

If they are not painful I'd leave them alone. Happened to me twice - they eventually fell off & a new nail had grown underneath.

uck51js9zml2yt · 08-04-2016 08:21PM

May be a fungal infection so see a professional or it might not be just your nails that fall off

Wild Garlic · 08-04-2016 08:56PM

kit3 wrote: »

If they are not painful I'd leave them alone. Happened to me twice - they eventually fell off & a new nail had grown underneath.

Yep. That's exactly what happens me. Just have to be careful it doesn't end up "in grown"

iwillhtfu · 08-04-2016 09:00PM

It's a plight of runners unfortunately but it might also be your actual running shoes are to small. You usually go up a size.

If they're not causing you any discomfort and you're doing a fair bit of mileage then I wouldn't be to worried.

Miaireland · 08-04-2016 09:05PM

Get it checked out. It is probably due to the running but could be a sign of a medical condition. Might be worth investing in new running shoes too.

kit3 · 08-04-2016 09:07PM

Wild Garlic wrote: »

Yep. That's exactly what happens me. Just have to be careful it doesn't end up "in grown"

Yep although presume it would get painful if that happens ?? (Never happened to me so don't know)

Wild Garlic · 08-04-2016 09:19PM

kit3 wrote: »

Yep although presume it would get painful if that happens ?? (Never happened to me so don't know)

Extremely. I've had to get a razor blade out a couple of times.

kit3 · 08-04-2016 09:27PM

Wild Garlic wrote: »

Extremely. I've had to get a razor blade out a couple of times.

For the nail I presume :eek: Sounds horrible

DubOnHoliday · 08-04-2016 09:28PM

Wild Garlic wrote: »

Extremely. I've had to get a razor blade out a couple of times.

Jesus, how many toes did you have left after?

Wild Garlic · 08-04-2016 09:56PM

kit3 wrote: »

For the nail I presume :eek: Sounds horrible

Yep. Had to cut it free. Very silly I know but don't like doctors. Couple of Jameson pain killers and good to go.

Wild Garlic · 08-04-2016 09:58PM

DubOnHoliday wrote: »

Jesus, how many toes did you have left after?

They're all there, just not what they used to be😀

Firedance · 08-04-2016 10:00PM

Wild Garlic wrote: »

Yep. Had to cut it free. Very silly I know but don't like doctors. Couple of Jameson pain killers and good to go.

A pointy manicure scissors will do the job much less painfully...I have ingrowns on both big toes - trick is to get there before its too late!!

I thought black toenails & ruining went hand in hand ?

ThisRegard · 08-04-2016 10:12PM

Firedance wrote: »

I thought black toenails & ruining went hand in hand ?

I never get them from running, only time they go black is from mud and bog. Think one went black when it got bruised from Gaelforce but I've never lost one.

Wild Garlic · 08-04-2016 10:19PM

Firedance wrote: »

A pointy manicure scissors will do the job much less painfully...I have ingrowns on both big toes - trick is to get there before its too late!!

I thought black toenails & ruining went hand in hand ?

Oooohhhh posh, manicure scissors, oooohhhhh!!

Bugsy2000 · 08-04-2016 10:38PM

Definitely very common with runners, particularly those who run the longer distances. It happens a lot if your runners are incorrectly sized & you tend to rub off the end / top of the shoe. I've lost a few & there's never been any issue. You often get people who curl their toes when running who suffer the same fate.

I know one women who regularly ran ultras who had her toenails removed intentionally as she was fed up with the constant black nails. No joke.

I reckon if you did a straw pole of marathon runners around here a big percentage would have had black nails at some stage.

Firedance · 08-04-2016 10:50PM

Wild Garlic wrote: »

Oooohhhh posh, manicure scissors, oooohhhhh!!

I'm a classy lady

uvox · 09-04-2016 01:43AM

Medical advice is best. Prolly fungal. I've the same problem, but ultimately turned it into a fashion statement by painting the rest of them black.

Boots is fine (the shop, not the footwear).

Run Logic hold a bi-annual black toenail competition by the way.

dekbhoy · 09-04-2016 09:42AM

always get them, from constantly pounding pavement regardless of size of shoes. no need for chiropodist, just part of the process.

Yorky · 09-04-2016 12:16PM

Thanks for the replies!

iwillhtfu wrote: »

it might also be your actual running shoes are to small. You usually go up a size.

I usually take a size 9 but a 9.5 in running shoes. I have gait analysis before replacing each pair and have tried size 10s but they always feel too big!

The age of the shoes doesn't seem to make any difference either.

Shall I post a photo of the offending nails..:-O?

iwillhtfu · 09-04-2016 12:24PM

Yorky wrote: »

Thanks for the replies!

I usually take a size 9 but a 9.5 in running shoes. I have gait analysis before replacing each pair and have tried size 10s but they always feel too big!

The age of the shoes doesn't seem to make any difference either.

Shall I post a photo of the offending nails..:-O?

Which toes are affected?

You may need a shoe with a wider toe box?

Is it a recent occurence or have you gotten new shoes/socks recently?

sconhome · 09-04-2016 02:34PM

Yorky wrote: »

Thanks for the replies!

I usually take a size 9 but a 9.5 in running shoes. I have gait analysis before replacing each pair and have tried size 10s but they always feel too big!

The age of the shoes doesn't seem to make any difference either.

Shall I post a photo of the offending nails..:-O?

You just have to get used to the larger size. The vast majority of people get the shoe sizing wrong and suffer with the toenails.

uvox · 10-04-2016 01:54AM

sconhome wrote: »

You just have to get used to the larger size. The vast majority of people get the shoe sizing wrong and suffer with the toenails.

Fit also depends on the architecture of the shoe, e.g., Altra Paradigms have a large box box. In general, you should be able to splay your toes when the shoe is on.

iwillhtfu · 10-04-2016 08:06AM

uvox wrote: »

Fit also depends on the architecture of the shoe, e.g., Altra Paradigms have a large box box. In general, you should be able to splay your toes when the shoe is on.

I think sconhome might know a thing or two about running shoes.

OP where are you getting your gait analysis done?

sconhome · 10-04-2016 10:08AM

uvox wrote: »

Fit also depends on the architecture of the shoe, e.g., Altra Paradigms have a large box box. In general, you should be able to splay your toes when the shoe is on.

100% agreed. Problem is so many people are conditioned to believing that shoes should be snug and your foot should not slide around etc etc.

I picked up a pair of Torin 2.0 at the expo last week and I have to say they are a cracking fit. I love them but I can imagine the reaction to people when compared to their ASICS

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I think sconhome might know a thing or two about running shoes.

Thanks

All I need to do is run (a lot ) more and I'll be well set up

uvox · 10-04-2016 10:16AM

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I think sconhome might know a thing or two about running shoes.
/QUOTE]

So what?

iwillhtfu · 10-04-2016 10:20AM

uvox wrote: »

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I think sconhome might know a thing or two about running shoes.
/QUOTE]

So what?

You have a good day now my auld flower :eek:

Yorky · 11-04-2016 07:53PM

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Which toes are affected?

You may need a shoe with a wider toe box?

Is it a recent occurence or have you gotten new shoes/socks recently?

The second one (next to bigtoe)on each foot

sconhome · 12-04-2016 09:58AM

Yorky wrote: »

The second one (next to bigtoe)on each foot

Possibly your longest toe? If the shoe is roomy is could be the sock fabrics cramping the toe a little, putting pressure on the nail bed. Has happened to me in the past.

Black toe nails - do I need a chiropodist?

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