Calling all runners.....damage to toenails......Advice please.....

[mummaemma]

any advice from runners out there. Running is ruining my toenails. Half of them have taken a battering and starting to thicken and break off.
nails looking ugly now. Not a great look when you want to wear nice summer shoes.

Do your shoes fit? You might need to get a larger size.

I'd guess your shoes aren't deep enough. I'm running about 18 miles a week now and my toenails are fine.
I'm wearing Asics and karrimor dri socks - did take a lot of looking for the right fit in shoes

im only running a max of 90mins a week. Shoes dont feel too small. Although saying that they are a size 7 and im normally an 8. They are fairly new so maybe they need to break in

I run a lot and have never had problems with my toes or feet. If you have the time/energy you could make an appointment at a running store that 'analyses' your gait. They will be able to recommend a good shoe for you.

I have never done this. I buy my shoes online from sportsshoes, and I always get half a size larger. I really like Asics as well.

you need to keep them trimmed short and make sure your trainers fit well. did you get them properly fitted? sounds like they are too small.

you need to keep them trimmed short and make sure your trainers fit well. did you get them properly fitted? sounds like they are too small.

I'd sat shoes too small. I'm a six normally but 7.5 when measured for running shoes.

I have never had bad toenails and I've run marathon distances.

I am about a 3.5 in shoes, sometimes a 3 but I wear a 4.5 in running shoes!!! It sounds like they'd be huge but they're not...

Echoing everyone who says your shoes are too small. The impact of your foot when you're running makes your toes splay out so you need a shoe with a toe box big enough to accommodate this. Most people size up between 1/2 and 1 1/2 sizes for their running shoes. If you're damaging toenails it's likely that your toes are hitting the end of the toe box in your shoe and that you're shoes are indeed too small.

Your shoes are too small. Everyone I know wears running shoes a size over their normal shoe size.

looks like im going to have to buy a new pair then! typical just spent £60 on them. looks like i need an 8 or 8 and a half then.

I found this an issue with a crappy pair of Nike trainers. Bit the bullet and spent ££ on some asics and they are awesome!! Love them! They are a whole size bigger than my normal shoes. I have shellac'd toe nails but keep them short, no problems now :)

will have a look at Asics. Thanks :-)

your shoes are too small if you are damaging toenails on 90 min a week. you shld normally buy half a size bigger for running shoes. i did his for pair in nov as shop advised it , then bought my normal size on Amazon of same shoes six months later as forgot to order half a size up. got one v sore toenail which took weeks to fall off. i run about 4 hours a week.

I get sore toenails if I forget to keep them trimmed.

The blackened big toe nails are from being as clumsy as fuck bumping bare toes into the old PC that's sat on the floor

I lost my first toenail after doing a longer than usual run in shoes that are a tiny bit too small - good enough for 90mins but not 2hrs+.

go to the doctor. I got two thickened toenails that i assumed were running damage, but didnt go, even a couple of years later. Its actually a fungal nail infection, which is probably not helped by sweaty running shoes etc, and youll need nail paint stuff.

OTC wont work for toenails btw, you need the prescription stuff.

Get to a proper running shop and get your gait analysed and some shoe s tried on and checked by the staff, different brands suit different people as well. You can always go online after and search for the best price for the shoe they recommend. Decent running shoes are a great investment if you are running - you only get one pair of feet :) I take a size larger than usual, like other folk have said.

another vote for the gait analysis and buying a bigger size!

I over-pronate and tried Asics, Mizuno and Brooks on the treadmill in the shop. Went for the Brooks in the end and will buy the same pair online for a heap cheaper when they need replacing!

I ended up with Saucony :)

mummaemma where roughly in the country are you? Then we can think about a good shop to go to?

Go and see a Podiatrist, they can drill the nails down and tell you if you are likely to have a fungal infection. A good over the counter product for fungal problems is Curanail. It's available on prescription too as Loceryl.

I agree shoes may not be a good fit for you, look at your lacing too as that can stop your foot moving too much in the trainer.

Def get your gait looked at, I ended up with a half size bigger and maximum arch support. Love my asics.

I'm not a runner, but the post title reminded me of a conversation I had with a chiropodist recently, who said that often runners won't get around to seeking proper advice on their toenails until it's too late for them to do anything to help. Get an appointment sooner rather than later asking for advice on how to not ruin your feet (you'll probably have to pay privately as the NHS probably won't refer unless you are in serious pain)