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Black Toenail

April 3, 2012 By Jennifer Swafford 16 Comments

This might be a gross topic to some of you but it is important to me so I am going to blog about it. If you are squeamish or HATE feet like my friend Michael does, you might want to NOT read this post. If you can handle it, read on.

I have a black toenail. It isn’t the first and hopefully won’t be the last. Here it is for all to see:

Dirty...I know!

The first black toenail I got was after my 10k in November. I had my toenails painted red and that same one looked like a darker color. I didn’t think too much about it until I noticed that the toenail seemed thicker than the others. I decided to take the nail polish off and investigate. Sure enough, it was thicker and darker in color.

Hmmmm…let’s just see how much I can clip it with the toenail clippers. I kept clipping and clipping and clipped the whole top of the nail off (I have recently read up on the topic and we are NOT supposed to do this so don’t if you are having this issue). There was a nail already growing underneath and it didn’t hurt at all to clip it all off!

I did a little research online, found out this was normal for runner, and thanked God it was winter and I could wear socks and shoes while it grew back.

It had just grown back for my half-marathon and I had a growing suspicion it might not last long! Sure enough, after my half marathon, the nail was VERY tender. Then, two days later…BLACK.

Well darn!  Here we go again…

I thought maybe it was because my shoes were too small…NOPE!

I thought maybe it was from running downhill…that certainly wasn’t the case for this half marathon…it was so hilly!

I did a little MORE research and found this very insightful article. Apparently, this is VERY common among runners who run long distances. It is just another example of how I really am a runner!

I guess I will just have to go and get a pedicure to cover it up with some dark nail polish…oh darn!

There...that's better!

Have you ever had a black toenail from running? If you have, consider yourself a “real” runner. If you already consider yourself a “real” runner and you haven’t had one, consider yourself “real” lucky!

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  • kimert

    YES! this has happened to me. Last year after my 3 half marathons both of my 2nd toes did the same as yours. It’s not any better now though. In fact, I am having a whole new issue… after my first full marathon on Sunday my two big toes are still throbbing and I am scared to death to take my purple polish off for fear that my toenails are even purple underneath the polish. eeek! 

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      Oh no! Maybe it is time to have a doctor check it out! Congrats on the marathon! What a huge accomplishment!

  • baylor9090

    I’ve had it two different times from walking in the 3 Day.  It doesn’t consistently happen as I have walked 5 different years, and it’s different toes.  First time, I felt stabbing pain during day 2 of the walk, and then numbness after that.  The black didn’t appear for a few weeks when it grew out from the nail bed.  Second time, I realized about a week after the walk that I seemed to have unknowingly popped what was like a giant blister under my nail.  The whole nail seemed like it was wanting to come off.  It miraculously stayed on. I’m about half way through growing that out and it’s almost 6 months later.

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      Wow! The things we go through!

  • http://twitter.com/JenJenMi Jen Latham

    Hey Jen! Have you been buying your running shoes larger than your regular shoes?  I have been advised that running shoes should be bought either 1/2 or 1 full size larger.  Our feet swell as we cover all these miles.  I run half marathons and no black nails yet.  Maybe my bigger shoes are keeping my toes free from the abuse?  Something to consider for your future running endeavors.  But it is a badge of honor, so enjoy :)

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      I just bought new running shoes and I actually went up a whole size bigger. My old running shoes were half a size bigger. Hoping that does the trick!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=17303318 Danielle Reed

    Only been seriously running since September and I’ve never had that problem, but there is a half (and related training) in my future so praying that I don’t experience that!  However, I did check out the article and found it very informative, especially in terms of shoe FIT.  I have always needed to buy shoes longer to accomodate the width of my foot, but, as the author pointed out, the arch MUST line up with the arch of your foot.  Otherwise, you end up with (and I DID end up with HUGE) hot spots and/or blisters in your arch. Not helpful when it comes to training (and, let’s face it – earning activity points so I can eat dessert!).

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      I am glad you enjoyed the article. It was very interesting! Consider yourself lucky that you have never had this. The more people I talk to, the more I feel it must be common!

  • sarahs goldsmith

    Congrats to you on your black toe nail! I too, have plenty of friends who get them. Thankfully, I have never had one because I wear a half size up in running shoes. Plus, I am not a foot person….like your friend Michael I do not like feet. But had to read since you are a marathon runner and so am I!.Love your red toes!

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      Thank you! Thank you for reading even though you hate feet!

  • dillard

    I have had the black toe nail!!!   The same toe as yours!  I was proud of mine too!  I went to get a pedicure and asked for french tips..they lady refused saying it would look bad and I should cover it up!

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      Oh no! It might look weird though with one black toe and the rest french!

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/JS2ZQVELPRUSP2UYNWOWQISX6Q Katscape

    You need to go up a 1/2 size.  I noticed that you have the “black toe” bent a little.  It looks like your “black toe” is longer than your big toe.  I have that too and it’s called “Morton’s toe”.  I too would encounter this problem and believe it when I say I am no runner, so I was not proud.  Your toe is turning black because you are creating
    friction against the inside front of your running shoes. Every time you come down on the foot it’s pushing against the inside front.  Not good for the toe and nothing to be proud of because you are a runner.  You will eventually
    end up with what they call a hammer toe; you don’t want that!

    Go up the 1/2 size, it will make all the difference!   Good Luck!

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      Uh oh…Hammer toe does not sound fun. I just bought new running shoes yesterday and I did go up a half size. Thanks for the tip!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Candice-Wilds/100002869254816 Candice Wilds

    Thanks for posting this.  It’s nice to know that someone else has the same problem as I.  I’ve trained and ran 3 half marathons, along with numerous 5ks since Oct. of 2011 and have one more half coming up in less than a month.  I’m sure I need to see a podiatrist, but darn-it, I just can’t stop increasing my running distance!  Guess it’s bigger shoes and dark nail polish for this runner.  At least until I finish my first full marathon this coming October.

    • http://www.itsuxtobefat.com Jennifer Swafford

      Good luck on your first full marathon! I would love to do one sometime. The bigger shoes seem to be helping so give that a try! Good luck on all your races! You are rockin’ it!