Got Toenails?

So, there are many problems that runners face. They range from bad shoes, sore feet and heel pain to toenails falling off. For new runners, there are few things that can be scarier than all of a sudden having your toenails start to turn black, lift off and eventually fall off.

What exactly is causing the color changes? Well, every time that you take a step, you are putting pressure on your toes. If there is not enough room in the toe box of your shoe, you will be knocking up against the end of your shoe. Over time, this can cause a blood blister under your toenail. Just like when you rub a blister on your heel from the friction of your shoe, you can cause a blister on your toe from the friction of your toe box. Although harmless, your blister will eventually cause your toenail to lift off.

How can you prevent these? Well, it is actually pretty easy. You can just make sure that you are wearing the right size shoes. Running shoes should actually be a ½ size larger than your daily shoes. When you run, your foot has greater movement and by providing a ½ size more space, it will allow you to have more space for that movement. This will help you to not knock up against the end of the shoes and reduce the possibility of causing these blood blisters.

It is important for you to seek help from your podiatrist. Sometimes nails can fall off as a result of trauma that could have caused damage to the bones. It is important to have your toes checked out, because there may be another underlying cause besides just your running.

If you or someone you know has toenails that are falling off, it is important that you see your local podiatrist. If you live in the Pelham or Windham, New Hampshire area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your toenails. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.