EEE GADS! A black toenail!!

[Nanci]

I agree, you're gonna lose it. If it turns black, purple, green, anything, it's coming off. Takes at least a month. Meanwhile, the new nail is growing under it. I trim off the dead parts as it grows. It takes six months to a year for the brand new nail to be completely in place. You go through a phase of really weird, rippley thin new nail until it grows normally again.

I've lost both big toenails the last two springs, both times from running events lasting >10 hours. This last time it took almost eight months to be back to normal. It isn't painful, and you can put nail polish on the bare nail bed if you don't want it to look weird! (Not the first day after the nail comes off, though.)

Another thing that can happen, that I didn't know, that is also a sign the nail's coming off, is blistering under the nail. VERY painful until you lance it. Blister juice even comes out from the base of the nail. I think it is brought on by downhills, when the toenail can contact the _top_ of the shoe, not necessarily the end.

This guy is widely known in ultrarunning as the foot expert.

John Vonhof at
mailto:johnvonhof@comcast.net with any questions related to this E-
zine or the book Fixing Your Feet. Snail mail is welcome at 352
Fragrance Court, Manteca, CA 95337.

He has the BEST book about all sorts of foot issues and how to prevent and fix them.

Nanci

[sarahk]

This is kinda gross, but my boyfriend used to get black toenails all the time from playing soccer. He drills a hole in the toenail to drain the blood. He doesn't use an actual drill, but rather some sharp object. I can't remember the exact tool. You have to be careful not to drill more than just the nail though

I'm not recommending it as I would probably never do that, but it's a possibility!

Sarah

[Grog]

That's what I've always read too (piercing the nail to drain the blood).

Maybe a sterilized, hot needle would do the job? I think I have seen my dad doing this as a kid.

[Running Mommy]

OY VEY! I think I'll just leave it alone and let it "do it's thing". It's not bugging me at this point. I just didn't want it to fall off and have an open nail bed. Hopefully it hangs in there until the new nail grows in.
Thanks everyone. Sure sounds like there is some "experience" out there.. And Nanci- you ran ultras too?? You should get into adventure racing! Sounds like long efforts are your thing! SUPER WOMAN that you are!!

[maryellen]

I'm prone to toenail bruises, etc. my podiatrist suggested that i keep my toe nails short. it does seem to help.