Black toenail from running – why do runners have it? 

Have you ever taken off your socks and BOOM! A black nail? Did it come out of nowhere? What is the cause of it? 

If you are a runner who has already run some miles in your life, you are probably familiar with this problem that affects many people who do this sport. However, if you’re a beginner and you see a black nail, it may frighten you a bit. Not surprisingly, such a sight is certainly not too interesting. 

Therefore, it is worth considering what black toes mean after running, how to prevent them, how to treat them, and whether you should go to a podiatrist with this problem. I will answer this question in this article. Read more! 

Runner’s Toenail – why do runners have it? 

A black nail in a runner’s toenail is nothing more than a stroke of blood from a broken vessel. The blood gets between the layers of the nail and thus creates a sight that can frighten many people. Especially if they have no idea that running it can form on the nail. 

More professionally, black nails on the fingers are called a subungual hematoma. What exactly does this mean? Simply a blood blister under the nail. 

Why does a black nail appear on a runner’s foot? It’s all due to the tremendous pressure on the blood vessels during training. During a run usually, the nail hits somewhere in the shoe. Therefore, during a long and intense run, when the nail is exposed to really high pressure, a blood vessel can burst and lead to a black color on the nail.

Toenails are even more susceptible to this type of running injury because the foot gets extra blood from the heart. If we combine the heavy load, and the extra portion of blood then a huge accumulation is formed in the nail and a vessel rupture occurs, resulting in a black runner’s toe. 

Black toenail from running – when does it appear? 

At the outset, it should be noted that black toenails are not only a problem for beginners. This ailment also appears on people’s feet who have been running for a long time or are preparing for competitions. 

When does it appear? If you add too many kilometers to your routine too quickly. Surely you heard or read about the fact that the length of the running route must be changed gradually. If you do not do this then… black toe may appear. It is a symptom of the fact that you exercise too intensively and for too long.

In such cases, it is a normal reaction of the body to an extremely difficult and long effort. This is also a sign for you to slow down a bit and start adding kilometers slowly and steadily. Then the chance that the black color will appear on the nail is much smaller. 

However, a black nail can also appear when you run on irregular ground. Such people very often have to face this problem. This problem is also faced by people whose foot turns inward during a step – pronation. However, it is possible to run well with this ailment – all you need to do is buy the right shoes and do exercises that will make you slowly start to take steps correctly. 

Black toenails from running can also appear when someone weighs more. I’m not just talking about people who are slightly overweight, but also those who exercise a lot and have a lot of muscle mass. You probably know that the greater the mass, the greater the pressure on the feet. 

Runner’s toe – can I paint it with nail polish? 

Let’s face it, a black nail does not look attractive. You want to hide it, especially in the summer. Ladies who wear flip-flops or sandals want to look good. Therefore, is it ok to paint your nails? 

It is best to avoid nail polish on your nails (the black ones). Why? When you use nail polish, it cuts off air access to the nail. Therefore, it will take longer to heal and you will have to wait more time until it finally returns to its original color and appearance. It is better to leave the toenail as it is.  

Black nail and choosing the right running shoes 

You’ve probably heard more than once that the most important thing in any runner’s equipment is good shoes. They must be comfortable – that’s first and foremost. But what else? 

If you want to run well in shoes and to reduce the risk of a black nail, it’s best to choose shoes in a larger size.

“What do you mean bigger shoes?”

If you run, your leg always goes slightly forward during each step. To avoid bumping your toes against the front of the shoe, it’s best to choose a larger size for a better and more comfortable workout. 

If you run on flat, urban terrain then you can choose shoes that are at least an inch larger. Do you run more often on off-road paths? You need to take into account the fact that you will be picking up hills. Therefore, it is best to buy shoes that will be at least 1 cm larger, although it is best to choose 1.5 cm. Or maybe you are choosing shoes for a marathon? Then they should be 0.5 cm to 1 cm larger. 

However, size is not the only important thing when choosing the right running shoes. Also, pay attention to the width of the shoes and the softness of the nose. Runner’s feet need space and a soft cover that won’t knead a bit.

Even though you have chosen a larger shoe size, the black nail continues to appear. In that case, choose a model that has a soft-top finish and a wider upper. 

Nail blackening after running is a reaction to intense exertion, and unfortunately, some people are more prone to it. Therefore, even if you choose the right shoes, it can occur. It all depends on your body. 

Remember one more thing. If you are going to buy shoes, go to a sports store. Do not order them online. It is best to try on running shoes first, see if they are good, comfortable, and soft, and then buy them. 

Shoes are not enough – what else can you do to avoid black toenails? 

You can purchase silicone toe pads for your shoes. They will make your shoes even more comfortable, but the most important thing is that they eliminate the pressure that is exerted on the foot, especially on the tie. This can protect against blackening. 

You can also buy a custom-fitted insole, which will also fit perfectly with your other sports shoes. 

The right socks are also the key. Choose lightweight socks in which your feet will not overheat additionally. Why is this so important? Because overheating increases foot swelling. Then not only will your foot be wet, but if it swells, even 0.5-1 cm larger shoes will not prevent a black nail. 

When putting on the shoe, remember to solve the laces well. Do not tie them too lightly or too tightly. This will ensure that the leg will be comfortable in the shoe and fit well. 

Remember to trim your toenails short. if they start to stick out past the toes, they will push against the tip of the shoe with every step. Then you can be practically sure that after an intense and long workout, a black color will appear on the nail. 

Warming up is also important. Remember here about your feet. Strengthen them with exercises so they can withstand more pressure during training. Stronger feet mean less susceptibility to injury. 

Black nail – how to cure it at home?

Do you see a black nail forming on your foot? Is there any way to accelerate or relieve the pain with home remedies? Of course, you can! 

If the hematoma under the nail is small then it will probably absorb on its own. After some time the black color will turn yellow. To make the color completely disappear from the nail you will have to wait for a little. The nail needs to grow, and with clipping, it will slowly disappear. You need to be patient because it certainly won’t happen in a few days. 

If you want to cover up the black nail and don’t want to show it to others, then you can seal it with a patch. Choose this option rather than painting the nail. Why you shouldn’t do this you already know from the previous part of the article. 

To speed up healing, you can make compresses of apple cider vinegar – it will stimulate blood circulation and thus help move excess blood. 

A black nail can hurt. Therefore, if you feel discomfort and want to relieve yourself from the suffering, make cold compresses. They will reduce the pain and you will immediately feel better. 

Black toenail from running – When to go to the doctor?

If the black nail is small, painless black-blue discoloration appears under the plate, then you don’t have to worry. All you need to do is wait for the nail to grow and move toward the tip, so you can cut it. 

However, you need to watch your nails. If the discoloration is large and it hurts even after two to three days, you need to visit a doctor. Even if you take painkillers and they relieve your suffering a little, your finger may still be in a worse condition day by day. That’s why it’s better to visit a doctor than to suffer even more later. You know how they say: Better be safe than sorry. 

The specialist will remove the excessive blood under the nail – he will have to puncture the finger and drain the fluid. If, in addition, swelling appears, it may be a sign of infection. What are some other signs?

• sharp pain
• leaking pus, 
• unpleasant odor
• there may even be a fever, which can indicate an infection. 

Impatient people who do not wait to see a doctor often do it themselves. However, I must tell you that it is much better and safer to go to the doctor’s office. Then the doctor will carefully look at your foot, do the procedure in sterile conditions and make sure that you do not have any other problems. 

If a blister has formed under the nail, it can cause the nail to detach and thus come off. Does this vision frighten you? No wonder, after all, it’s not pleasant. It can go away, however, there are times when you won’t need to go to a podiatrist to have the dead nail cleaned up so that the next one can grow without any problems. 

If it does happen and it starts to come off, then you need to be patient, because the nail will not grow back quickly. 

How long do you have to wait? When it comes to the toe it can take up to a year, the other nails are 3 to 6 months. Therefore, if you don’t want to have such problems, you better buy good shoes, run with good technique and slowly add kilometers – don’t do anything by force. 

Blood blister – should you pop it? 

If it appears on your foot, it is best to immediately go to a doctor to do something about it. They know best how to deal with the problem. 

However, if you are thinking about popping it on your own then it’s better not to. Why? Attempting to pop the blood blister can end in an infection of the toe. I know that you don’t want that. This is why you should visit the doctor’s office and ask what to do in this situation. 

Don’t ignore a recurring black nail either. If you’ve chosen good shoes and are doing everything to prevent them from appearing, and you see it on your foot again, see a doctor. It is worth consulting this problem. It may indicate an abnormality in the structure of the feet, which can be corrected with the selection of insoles. 

Now you know what runners’ toenail is, how to deal with them, when they appear and how to prevent them. Remember to go to the doctor when you see that the nail is in really bad condition. What’s more, you now also know how to protect yourself from this: cut your nails short, choose bigger shoes, and don’t add too many miles to your run too fast.