Question
I am running a half marathon this weekend and at my 12 mile run a couple of weeks ago I ended up with a purple, black toenail. This happened once before after a marathon and I believe a podiatrist pulled off the nail. It has always been thick since then. The day it happened this time, half my toe was red and it really hurt. I read not to worry about it, that it would eventually just fall off, and the pain went away until today. Now out of nowhere it really hurts and I'm wondering if there is anything I can/should do before my race on Sunday. It looks pretty nasty - hard and crusty gray at the tip of my toe, dark purple underneath the nail and red/purple at the edge of my nailbed. Thanks for any advice.

Answer
Hi Karen,

Toenail injuries are common in runners.  When there is pain, there may be fluid building beneath the nail that needs to be drained.  In some cases you may develop a bacterial infection.  If the pain is significant, I would see a Podiatrist to treat the area.  You could try ice to relieve the pain and stop the fluid buildup.  However, you do risk infection and further damage by running on an already injured area.  Hope all goes well.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com


DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.