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The Shuffler

A post about toenails, by request

April 20th, 2010

WARNING: Potential grossness ahead.  Do not read if discussions about toenails and the ailments thereof cause queasiness.

Today, I had my second request to write a blog post about toenails.  Please note that the two requesters do not know one another so I have to assume that 1) these people are not in cahoots and 2) some runners genuinely want to talk about toenails.

I have to say, when I first started running, black toenails were the least of my concerns (number 1: are my lungs going to explode?).  To this day, they’re not high on my list of running problems.  In three years of running, which includes a dozen 5 and 10kms and one half-marathon and lots of training runs, I have accrued only one black toenail (specifically, the piggy that stayed home on my right foot), which was my unofficial souvenir from the half.    

Black toenails are caused by blood pooling under the nail (a blood blister) from repeated impact against the front of the shoe.  My reading in the area of black toenails suggests that prevention is key.  Make sure that your running shoes have some space in the toe box (about a quarter inch)  so that your toes have room.  I’ve also seen recommendations to keep toenails short and if you happen to run a lot of downhills, lace your shoes more tightly at the top so that your feet don’t slip.  Given that I’ve always been careful about shoe fit and that the Ottawa half-marathon course if flatter than flat, I’m going to have to attribute my experience to the fact that race day was a lot warmer than I expect (low 20s) and that my feet may have swollen more than usual given how long I was out on the course (pathetically long).

In terms of treatment, my understanding is that leaving it alone and/or applying antibacterial cream is usually the best option.  I’ve seen books and articles that explain how you can deal with it on your own (i.e., by drilling a hole in the nail) but I was traumatized by the movie Sicko, which depicted uninsured Americans stitching up their own wounds so I’d be more inclined to see a medical professional if it’s really causing pain.  Since I wasn’t experiencing any pain, my coping strategy was two-pronged: 1) avoid sandals where possible and 2) keep my toenails painted in bright colours.  Eventually, the nail in question grew out. 

I should also note that I’ve seen some magazine articles and/or books that describe black toenails as a badge of pride.  Although I appreciate a good reframe as much as the next psychologist, I’m going to have to disagree on this one.  In my mind, badges are things that you display but black toenails are things that should be kept covered and/or disguised with nail polish.  Same goes for blisters (except for the nail polish – I wouldn’t recommend you try that with blisters).

Over to you.  Are black toenails a problem for you?  Do you consider them a badge of honour?

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6 Responses to “A post about toenails, by request”
  1. Mr. Shuffler Says:

    More like bad Juju. I think keeping the nails short is just generally a good idea: otherwise you can cut up adjacent toes by the repeated rubbing together on every stride.

  2. charlene Says:

    One word: PEDICURE. Seriously. Prevention all the way.

    But if you do get really bad pooling a doc can relieve it with a handy little gizmo that basically burns a tiny hole through the nail bed so the blood can drain. It is disgusting but the pain relief is immediate.

  3. Vicky and Grant Says:

    Holy mother of gawd! Thank you thank you thank you! I did my first trail run with a group of amazing runners that run in the Gatineau Hills. This was two weeks ago. I have the grossest toenail ever! There is some black and what looks like a blister under my nail. Dana, it’s horrendous! I’ve been showing it to my BF, colleagues, everyone who’ll take a look to make sure I get as many opinions as possible as to whether or not it will fall off. I’m terrified Dana…I mean listen, I’m a woman sweetie, pedicures are our thing! Yet, I am ashamed to go to the spa for fear they will judge me. I am afraid to put nail polish on it in case it delays the healing process or the toxic chemicals will make it fall off. I am terrified of wearing sandals and showing all my painted toenails except that one lone disabled and battered one. Thanks for writing about it. It helps to hear someone else talk about it and to know that my toenail might not fall off after all. I have hope now.

    Vicky

  4. Alexis Says:

    I had a hiking-related (not running-related) toenail injury. It was my big toe, and took almost 7 months to grow out completely. I was very very very careful with is for the middle couple of months, as it was in the process of falling off. I managed to keep it on for a while, but it eventually fixed itself just in time for a summer wedding I was attending. So if prevention doesn’t work, I am all for nail polish and leaving it alone (though I did put a bandaid around it some days when I knew I was walking a lot and was worried about it getting caught on something).

  5. Vicky and Grant Says:

    Hey Shuffler,

    We posted a response blog.

    http://www.irun.ca/blog/index.php/a-tale-of-toenails-trails-and-running/

    Grant

  6. YogaGirl Says:

    Im pleased to know that a blackened toenail is the worst of my concerns. Bright nailpolish is my current solution so all is well. Im also happy to note that the shuffler truly does respond to requests :)

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