Both a bane to runners and—in some
strange way—a badge of honor, the black
toenail, or subungual hematoma, is actu-
ally blood collecting underneath your nail.
It can occur from acute or chronic injury,
explains Jordan Metzl, M.D., a sports
medicine doctor at the Hospital for Special
Surgery in New York City.
The chronic repetitive trauma can
range from mild (think: a small, painless,
black-and-blue discoloration beneath
the nail) to severe (large, bloody blisters
between nail and nail plate), adds podi-
atric surgeon Jacqueline Sutera, D.P.M.
Other issues can cause discoloration,
too, like fungal infections, which can come
with a funky odor, and subungual mela-
noma, a type of skin cancer often causing
a black or brown streak under your nail.
Loop in your doctor if you notice those
symptoms, but if you’re sure running is
the cause, here’s what you should know.
The New-Runner Move: Prevent
Black toenails are more common in run-
ners who run long or at a high intensityStop Black
Toenails
From
Ruining
Your Runs
BY R.W. SCIOLOTAKE
PRESSURE
OFF YOUR
BIG TOE1243Lacing your shoes differently can help relieve pressure in the affected area.
Try this to free up your big toe: 1 / Thread one end of the lace down through the
eyelet next to your big toe. Pull the end of that lace up to the top eyelet on the
opposite side, bringing the lace through to the outside. Leave just enough slack
at the top to tie a bow. 2 / Take the other end of the lace straight across toward
the outside of the shoe, down through the eyelet, then diagonally up toward the
inside of the shoe. 3 / Repeat until all of the eyelets are laced. 4 / Tie in a bow.24 RUNNERSWORLD.COM PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAKOTA GAMBILL