bruises on toes from running!?!?!?!

i've got this big black/purply bruisy kinda spot covering the majority of my second toe on my left foot...i thought i bumped it but it wouldnt go away and my dad says its from the running.

has anyone ever had this and does it go away?

Might be something with your shoes. How do your socks fit? If they get crumbled inside the shoe they can cause sg like this.

The majority of the toe - does this mean the nail? SOunds like a bleeding under the skin. You may have bumped it - it is very often that we hit our limbs without noticing it. Give it a week or so. Does it hurt or do you have difficulty walking?

I used to do pedicures for a couple of runners and this same thing happened to thier toes.  Not to scare you, but your toenail might fall off.  Its not a huge deal, unless you like to wear strappy sandles, because it should grow back.  I agree with your Dad.  its from running.  Maybe new shoe's or maybe your running down hill :-)

Yes, this is very normal.  And yes, your nail will most likely fall off at some point.  Here's some info:

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_5/191.s html#black

Although please, before you consider poking at your nail with anything, please check with your dad.  Most likely you should see a doctor if you want to do that.

I never have messed with mine, and they've been fine, just took a bit of time to grow out.  It depends on if the entire nail is black or not how much of it will fall off.

Incidentally, I'm sure mine come from how hilly it is on some of my routes, seems I'm constantly running downhill.  (and uphill, of course!)

yeah, sometimes after running i'll find that my toe has been bleeding! It never hurts while i'm running, but it will hurt a little the day after.

if it is not under the nail but around the little joint there you could have sprained the ligaments/tendons in your toe.  I did that playing soccer, the bruise wrapped around the little joint in my big toe.  It hurt so bad I thought it was broken but it was just a bad sprain.  There was nothing that could be done besides wrapping my big toe before each soccer game, (I did have to use that toe to kick).

The next time you buy shoes, I'd recommend a 1/2 size larger or a different make/model to give your toes more room.  Even with your existing shoes you could try loosening the laces in the first couple of holes (the ones by your toes, not the ones where you tie up).  That could give your toes a bit more room too.  Lots of runners end up with black toenails, but it's because their toes are pushing against the end of the shoe.

OK, I think the penny has dropped. How foolish - I am a very active walker (at least an hour of brisk walking every day, plus I am always on the go - walk everywhere) and I have been wondering for years why the nail on my second toe on both of my feet is so thick - like two nails growing on top of each other! And it's not fungus. So it's not the socks... pandajenn, thanks for the link!

A question to you guys who know: would it be a good idea to wear toe-protecting foam (like the ones by Scholl)?

yeah i don't think my shoes are too tight...i have plenty of room. maybe its the way i move my feet, coz if im on the cross trainer for longer than 10 minutes my toes get hot and numbish :S

it's the whole left side of just my second toenail on the left. i've had it for about 2-3 weeks and it hasn't fallen off...just stayed purply black!! i do a 4km run and half is downhill...and i run home from the gym which is downhill. thats probably it from what you're all saying.

thnx 4 the help!

i just read the link that pandajenn provided...it sounds like what i've got so thanks a lot but i absolutely REFUSE to stick a needle in my skin! i guess its gunna have to fall off coz noooo way i'm doing that haha
- p.s it doesn't hurt thats why i didnt think it was a bruise

I have the same problem with my big toe, due to the way my shoes were fitting. Sometimes just lacing them too tight will cause your shoes to fit wrong. No worries, just focus on getting the right fit.

liv, mine have taken a few months usually before they fall off, so don't be surprised if you have it for a while.

The same thing happened to me when I walked in the Breast Cancer walk.  The toenails of my second toes turned black and hurt.  Didn't know it at the time, but since have been told this is common for long distances.  My shoes were professionally fitted and haven't had the problem before or after.  It finally grew out after about 6 months.