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Question:

I had the same problem when I started running.  My problem was the toe box was too small and the toenails were getting pushed by the top of the shoe. I never felt it while running, just had black toenails when I got done with my long runs.  I eventually lost almost all of my toenails, but they have all grown back.  I solved the problem by switching shoes.  New Balance 877 have a very large toe box and work great for me.  I did find quite a bit of info about black toenails on-line at the medical web sites.  Most of them dealt with more severe problems when the pressure behind the toenails resulted in pulsing pain.  Doesn’t sound like you have that  problem. I also discovered that cotton socks will expand 50% when they get wet.  So, a sock that feels good on a cool day can lead to problems on a hot day when you sweat.  I now make sure that I only run with Cool Max socks. Hopes this helps.

Response:

You might also have toe nail fungus which is unrelated to running.  If the nail bed becomes very thick, see your doctor.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I had this problem a couple of time.  I think the cause is the fact that the toe bounce in front of the shoe because the shoes are too small or  that I do not push the foot back enough in the shoe when I tie it. Jacques Back in December, while starting to train for my 1st marathon, I developed a black toe nail on my second left toe.  I was running on a pair of New Balance 851s which had more than 600miles on them. (They were discontinued, could not find my size anywhere…. well you know how it is with your favorite pair of running shoes.) Anyway, I still have the black nail 4 months later.  The nail does not seem to be growing out.  Anyone who has had this problem, did you ever get rid of the black nail and does a good one grow back? Thanks Mike

Response:

I had this problem a couple of time.  I think the cause is the fact that the toe bounce in front of the shoe because the shoes are too small or  that I do not push the foot back enough in the shoe when I tie it. Jacques – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Back in December, while starting to train for my 1st marathon, I developed a black toe nail on my second left toe.  I was running on a pair of New Balance 851s which had more than 600miles on them. (They were discontinued, could not find my size anywhere…. well you know how it is with your favorite pair of running shoes.) Anyway, I still have the black nail 4 months later.  The nail does not seem to be growing out.  Anyone who has had this problem, did you ever get rid of the black nail and does a good one grow back? Thanks Mike

Response:

I have had this problem with 3 toes over the past 3 months whilst training for the London Marathon. After my longer runs the toes were a bit sore but OK the following day. I started wrapping a plaster around the nail and then recently noticed blood on the plaster i.e the blister underneath had split. Within a week of this the nail was very loose so I very carefully eased it off taking care that that there was no skin attached. There is a new nail starting to grow. The best part is that the toe is now totally pain free. Similarly with my big toe nail which was only black on one side the nail became loose on that side. I was unable to loosen the good side so I used nail clippers to trim of the loose nail. I have now managed to burst the blister underneath the other toe nail and the nail has started to become loose although at this stage not loose enough to pull off but again the soreness has gone. I guess what I am saying is that if you can burst the blister under the nail the soreness will go and eventually the nail will come of naturally or you may be able to remove it yourself. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After last years Marathon in May, I had 2 black big toes. The pain went away in a week, and after about 6 months, the black tails fell off. After a total of 9 months, everything was back to normal. After 10 months, and a simple 8 mile training run, I got a brand new black toe. After 10 months and one day, I had one less pair or running shoes. ron. Back in December, while starting to train for my 1st marathon, I developed a black toe nail on my second left toe.  I was running on a pair of New Balance 851s which had more than 600miles on them. (They were discontinued, could not find my size anywhere…. well you know how it is with your favorite pair of running shoes.) Anyway, I still have the black nail 4 months later.  The nail does not seem to be growing out.  Anyone who has had this problem, did you ever get rid of the black nail and does a good one grow back? Thanks Mike

Response:

After last years Marathon in May, I had 2 black big toes. The pain went away in a week, and after about 6 months, the black tails fell off. After a total of 9 months, everything was back to normal. After 10 months, and a simple 8 mile training run, I got a brand new black toe. After 10 months and one day, I had one less pair or running shoes. ron. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Back in December, while starting to train for my 1st marathon, I developed a black toe nail on my second left toe.  I was running on a pair of New Balance 851s which had more than 600miles on them. (They were discontinued, could not find my size anywhere…. well you know how it is with your favorite pair of running shoes.) Anyway, I still have the black nail 4 months later.  The nail does not seem to be growing out.  Anyone who has had this problem, did you ever get rid of the black nail and does a good one grow back? Thanks Mike

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Back in December, while starting to train for my 1st marathon, I developed a black toe nail on my second left toe.  I was running on a pair of New Balance 851s which had more than 600miles on them. (They were discontinued, could not find my size anywhere…. well you know how it is with your favorite pair of running shoes.) Anyway, I still have the black nail 4 months later.  The nail does not seem to be growing out.  Anyone who has had this problem, did you ever get rid of the black nail and does a good one grow back?

I ended up with 2 black toenails after the Berlin Marathon last September. There was no pain during the run, and in my previous 4 maras I had not been afflicted, so I have no idea what the cause was. If I pressed either toe there was very slight pain, but when I ran or walked there was none. About 3 months later I was out for a run and one of them came loose, I noticed this when I took my shoe off. So I cut off what I could, and the new nail has continued to grow. So to answer your question, a good one will grow back, in fact it is probably already there, hidden behind the old, black nail. pete

Response:

Back in December, while starting to train for my 1st marathon, I developed a black toe nail on my second left toe.  I was running on a pair of New Balance 851s which had more than 600miles on them. (They were discontinued, could not find my size anywhere…. well you know how it is with your favorite pair of running shoes.) Anyway, I still have the black nail 4 months later.  The nail does not seem to be growing out.  Anyone who has had this problem, did you ever get rid of the black nail and does a good one grow back?

I had a bad case from a marathon in March of 1998! It is just now to the point where I don’t have to worry about further damage on a long run. I’ve been using a "blister protection wrap" over it for anything over 10-12 miles. And will continue to do so for awhile. The black grew out in about 9-10 months, but the nail growing in behind the damaged bit is distorted and tends to rub on the toe of my shoe. I’m thinking 15-16 months on this one before all evidence is gone! Thanks Mike

Yer’ welcome,  Denny Anderson  To ERR is human… to ZIN, divine!

Response:

Back in December, while starting to train for my 1st marathon, I developed a black toe nail on my second left toe.  I was running on a pair of New Balance 851s which had more than 600miles on them. (They were discontinued, could not find my size anywhere…. well you know how it is with your favorite pair of running shoes.) Anyway, I still have the black nail 4 months later.  The nail does not seem to be growing out.  Anyone who has had this problem, did you ever get rid of the black nail and does a good one grow back? Thanks Mike

Response:

Anyway, I still have the black nail 4 months later.  The nail does not seem to be growing out.  Anyone who has had this problem, did you ever get rid of the black nail and does a good one grow back?

I’ve had this a few times. One time I had to pull the old one off to see the new one underneath.

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