Anyone had problems with a ‘loose’ toenail??

[LouiseA]

Hi gang, I just got back from my second ever HM distance run (amazing 2:03:15...shaving 10 whole actual minutes from my previous effort!!) and...

Well I think one of my toenails is trying drop off! It’s the third toe in from the little toe on the left foot. My toes are all higgly piggly like little castle turrets, and this particular toe seems a bit taller than the toes next to it so I reckon I must have bashed it running, even though my shoes are wonderful and I’ve never had this before.

It’s a bit sore walking. Should I try taping the toe to the next one or sticking the thing down with a plaster? I don’t want to mess! I can see a bruise underneath the nail about half way up.

Just wondering what others would do?

Happy running in the sunshine and happy bank holiday 🏃🏻‍♀️⭐️☀️

[nowster Metric Marathon]

It's a common problem for runners who do distances. I have black bruises underneath two of my left foot's toenails and the nails are being lifted by that. I don't have any advice as it's the first time for me too.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to nowster]

Try locking your laces with the heel lock technique which uses the top extra hole. That helped me a lot 👌🏽

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

You haven't seen my shoes, have you? 😉

Vibram FiveFingers nowadays have speed laces, and no "top extra hole".

Vibram V-Runs, seen from above

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to nowster]

Oops I forgot!

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

They're also very flexible at the toe, and proper fitting is to have the toe ends "almost" touching, so that you get correct flexion of the articulated toes.

My fault is that I have a habit of stubbing my toes on uneven surfaces, and then continuing to run afterwards.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to nowster]

Ow! 🤣

A few people have bought those shoes in my club recently!

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

They should be taken on with great caution. They feel great to run in, but you absolutely must break your body into running in them gradually.

If you can, point them to this before they hurt themselves:

birthdayshoes.com/how-to-tr...

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to nowster]

Oh they’ve been in them a while now. They’re the elites in club. Do crazy things like 110 miles ultras 🤣 They transitioned for a while 👍🏽 Although one guy is like you and has always run in them.

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Good! They've probably got much stronger calf muscles than most others and can pick things up with their toes.

[Tasha99 Marathon in reply to nowster]

🤣 they cause controversy in club when they post photos of their new shoes! Marmite!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I usually get bruised toe nails on one foot over HM distance. The toe is very tender for a day or two but it soon wears off. The bruising lasts ages though, so I almost always have two grim nails - either red/black from the bruising or with a thick and lifting nail as the new one grows in underneath or with a short thin nail when the top one comes away before the new one is fully grown. All that said, I haven't been in the position of having a loose nail straight after a run - that sounds a real nuisance. Hopefully someone else will reply.It often happens as toes bang against the end of the shoe (heel lock lacing may help stop that); I think mine is actually the end of the toe banging the ground (maybe I clench my toes as I get tired?). My shoes are already plenty long and I think they'd be a trip hazard if I went any bigger. For runs up to 16k I'm usually fine so I just put up with it for the rest!!!

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Hi there-that was a brilliant HM!With respect to your toenail, I had a similar situation a while back after wearing new walking shoes. I don't know the "correct" way of dealing with it, but in my case I just kept the nail trimmed as short as possible and took great care putting socks on very carefully (fortunately it was winter) and it just gradually grew up.Eventtually it left a flap which fell off and a new nail gradually grew up underneath. Looked a bit odd for a while but is now completely back to how it was.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Yeah loads of times!

Week7 's advice is good. In addition I like to wrap a sticking plaster round the toe to protect the nail, and for running I add leukotape on top to keep the plaster in place. The nail usually comes off eventually with the new one growing in its place - this new nail is delicate so it's a good idea to protect it for a while.

The problem may be caused by various things, including: shoes a little too snug, socks causing irritation, feet sliding forwards in shoes (particularly when running downhill), wet socks, toenails too long, or just by running for a long time! Tricky to figure out sometimes 😂

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

If you can trim your toenail without causing damage, that might help Louise. As we run further, our feet do spread or swell, so it’s important to have at least a thumb width space in front of the longest toes. One of my pairs is a full size larger that my normal shoes.

A bit of micropore tape might help until it grows out.

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I've been using the stretchy sports tape. I got a box of four rolls from Lidl a year or so ago.

[Tasha99 Marathon]

It’ll just come off. Put a plaster over it until then. You probably did it a few weeks back if it’s only coming off now. Buy shoes another half or full size bigger and ensure your feet don’t slip forward by tying your laces using the lock lace technique utilising the top extra hole.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

I have a couple of dodgy toe nails on each foot, the 2nd and 3rd ones. They were caused by running two HMs in two weeks on rather uneven ground, and I’ve had them in the past too. My shoes are big enough and I use the heel lock lacing technique so I’m doing all I can. Apart from being rather unattractive they cause no problem, and a new nail grows through fairly quickly.

I look upon my toe nails as a badge of honour! I wouldn’t worry too much. It seems to be part and parcel of being a runner. 😀

[LouiseA Half Marathon]

Thanks everyone! I’ll try taping it over and will certainly try the heel lock laces. I have another pair of shoes that are slightly bigger, so will alternate with those on my runs this week just in case. Thanks for all your advice, you’re all stars 🌟🤩

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Well done on your training... getting fast! I'm interested in your post as I get a fair bit of toe nail pain and bruising but none lifting yet! I haven't tried the heel lock lacing but I'll look into this. 👍

[Time_Lord Half Marathon]

Hi Well done on your half. I have a similar problem and I use toe foam to go over the toe and protect it. I also use some micropore tape to keep it on as well. I found it does help.

[Magellan Marathon]

I use little tubes made of soft gel with a thin cloth covering. I don’t know what they’re called. But they’re available in chemists next to blister plasters. They’re like a little jacket for a toe, they cover the nail and they can help avoid blisters and that callous you get when a blister ‘sets’.

[Maisiecat1 Half Marathon]

I just thought it happened to all runners. Both my big toe nails went black last June (I graduated C25K May) they lifted from the nail bed but I just left them be. New nail grew under and 9 months later all good as new 😂😊

[misswobble Marathon]

When don’t I 🤷‍♀️

😁

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

That's a great HM pace especially as it's only your 2nd one.

Don't have any advice r.e. toenail but others seem to have covered that.