All you need to know about runner’s toe and ways to prevent the painful condition

Athletes and runners often get a condition called runner’s toe, which is essentially a blackened toenail caused by repeated strain on the foot. It’s not dangerous, but can be very painful, said Dr Udit Kapoor, consultant, Metro Hospital, Faridabad.

“Runner’s toe happens when your toenail turns black from the stress of running. When your toe repeatedly rubs on or slams into your shoe, it can cause stress to your nail. This leads to bleeding under your nail, which starts to look black,” Dr Kapoor told indianexpress.com

Also called runner’s toenail, jogger’s toenail, or even tennis toe, it causes symptoms like a loose toenail, pain, blood blisters, and trouble walking or wearing shoes, according to WebMD.

Keep these tips in mind (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

What else to consider?

WebMD suggests that black toenails can be signs of other diseases, so it’s a good idea to have your feet examined.

A black toenail can also be a sign of a:

Fungal infection
Chronic ingrown toenail
Benign bone tumour called subungual exostosis
Melanonychia striata
Cancerous tumour

How to prevent the condition?

In a Twitter post, neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, who is also an avid runner, said that for running, one should wear shoes that are one size bigger than one’s formal (office) shoes. “Also, keep trimming your toenails on a regular basis. I have followed this and never faced runner’s toes,” he said.

Wear shoes for #running that are one size bigger than your formal (office) shoes. Also, keep trimming your toe nails on regular basis.
I have followed this and never faced runner toes. https://t.co/w8Lx2Otzis pic.twitter.com/vUkT8HHbmY

— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) May 21, 2023

Dr Kapoor also suggested avoiding a narrow toe box (check if your foot is hanging off the sides of the insole — a sign that the toe box is most likely too narrow), get uric acid levels checked yearly (minimum), and wear sports shoes more than formal shoes.

According to the experts, one must use the right shoes such that they fit one’s foot properly and aren’t too tight on the toes. “You should have a half-inch between your big toe and the end of your shoe,” Dr Kapoor mentioned. It is also necessary to be able to wiggle your toes when wearing the shoes freely.

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