gross, i know but... infected toe - training for 5k - now what?

ARGH! Let me just start off by saying I am really frustrated right now. 

Monday night I had an awesome run on the treadmill - 30 minutes straight without stopping. This may very well have been the first time in my life I have ever been able to run 30 minutes without stopping not to mention on a treadmill (go me!). I am trying to get in enough shape that I can run a 5k on Mother's Day (May 11).

Well, I guess I had an ingrown toe nail on my right big toe (inner side). I sometimes get them, no big deal though. Cut the nail, put some antibiotic cream on the corner, slap on a bandaid and voila- back to new.

Unfortunately, this time is has become so swollen its hard to walk. Seems to have happened overnight. So last night I walked around my house carrying a big bucket of hot hot hot water with epsom salt and soaked it for 1 hour, then i lathered it up with the antibiotic cream and slapped some bandaids on it, like usual. Well, it was no better this morning! AHHHH.

All I want to do is run and I can't! The pressure of putting my foot inside any shoe is not pleasant. I was on such a wonderful "high" from Monday's run, that I just can't wait to run again.

SO here are my questions for all of you fitness fanatics -

 

1 - has this every happened to you before?

2 - what have you done to make it better?

3 -  have you been able to continue to run even with it infected?

4 - if you stopped running for a few days, what did you do for cardio in the meantime? (I have a stationary bike at home... would that work?)

5 - could this be caused by my sneakers? (I have been running in them since Dec. and never had a problem, but then again, I have never run for 30 minutes straight either.)

 

Thanks!

I once had green puss coming out of my toe.  Yuck!

First go to the clinic and get it checked out.  You may need antibotics.

Five months in the same shoes, about time to change them.  Get them fitted so that your toes do not rub on the side.

Good luck

I agree - go to the drs and get it looked at.  That is priority number one. Second, either get fitted by a professional for your running shoes, or at least go buy a new pair and get them about 2 sizes too big.

6 Months or 600 Miles - that is the standard "life" for running shoes because after that, the rubber starts to break down. 

I do 5Ks all the time and I absolutely love them.  I had a pair of Nike's I was running in and I would finish the race and an hour later my joints and feet would kill me. Finally went to my local running store (Running Etc) and got properly fitted for my shoes... Normally I'm a shoe size 8 - 8.5.  They told me I needed a size 10!  At first I thought they were crazy but I tried them anyway - WHAT A DIFFERENCE.  I also found out I have severe pronation when I run (which is why my joints were hurting so bad) so once I had the correct shoes on it was way better.

Also - after getting proper running shoes, I cut almost 7 minutes off my time. What a difference.  I love my Asics. 

Original Post by mandymoo2182:

Second, either get fitted by a professional for your running shoes, or at least go buy a new pair and get them about 2 sizes too big.

I agree that getting professionally fitted is a great idea.  I disagree stongly that you should just arbitrarily buy shoes two sizes too big.  Shoes that are too big will cause severe problems just as shoes that are too small will.

If a professional fitter says you need bigger shoes, that's because you are currently wearing shoes too small, not because you need to wear shoes 2 sizes bigger than your feet.

Original Post by jdw3018:

Original Post by mandymoo2182:

Second, either get fitted by a professional for your running shoes, or at least go buy a new pair and get them about 2 sizes too big.

I agree that getting professionally fitted is a great idea.  I disagree stongly that you should just arbitrarily buy shoes two sizes too big.  Shoes that are too big will cause severe problems just as shoes that are too small will.

If a professional fitter says you need bigger shoes, that's because you are currently wearing shoes too small, not because you need to wear shoes 2 sizes bigger than your feet.

 Agree'd with the size thing.  When I was fitted for my running shoes I was given a smaller shoe.  I usually wear a 13.5-14, the woman gave me a 12.5 and said I could probably get into a 12 if I wanted.  I declined because I am more comfortable in slightly larger shoes.  Now I wish I would have taken the 12s, because my right foot slides a bit too much in my shoe which results in a small blister in my instep on long runs.

Thanks everyone!

Even though I have had my shoes since December, they really haven't experience such wear and tear. The reason being that my cardio work outs are limited to 3-4x/week and at most 40 minutes. Usually I either jog for 20 minutes or jog/sprint on the treadmill for 20-30 minutes.

They actually still look brand new and even the sole isn't worn down on them. I got them at Modell's on Black Friday (EDIT:$45 Asics) and they were the best sneakers there. I have a very high arch and they had the best fit I have ever felt with a sneaker. And when I use arch supports that you insert, my feet sit too high in the sneaker and I start to slip out at the heel (reminiscent of my problems with my soccer cleats).

I do have problems running - due to ankle and knee injuries from soccer in HS, after about 20 minutes of running, either one ankle or the other (or sometimes both) swell up and it feels like there is something tearing on the inner side of my ankle. If I walk for a few minutes and limp it off, I can usually squeeze out another 10 minutes. Not ideal at all. Also, I am spoiled and back in HS/college had trainers wrap both of my ankles for me.

I would have no idea where to go for a professional fitting for sneakers (live in North/Central NJ). Off the top of my head, these are the sneaker/athletic stores near me:

- Model's

- Footlooker

- Sneaker Stadium

- Champs

Any suggestions?

yikes! i know what you are feeling like. A while back i dropped something on my toe nail and it was damaged to the point that i had to have the top layers of my nail removed. Right now i only have a very thin layer of nail, its not pretty and it hurts alot. my whole toe has been red and swollen since November...but ive gotten used to the pain, i guess. I usually do the treadmill or elliptical despite the pain. I either put a bandaid on it or a thick sock that will help diminish friction from my shoe and toe touching. I'd definately go in, if i were you. If you end up with a bad infection, it could cause you to have to stop running for awhile...the sooner you get it taken care of, the sooner you will get back to normal! good luck!

*My bad about the shoe size thing, I guess I just figured that was common about people needing bigger shoes! 

I would recommend finding a local running store first. They are going to be better at fitting you for running shoes over the average worker at large sporting good stores. 

You can try checking here - I can't get the link to come up at work so it might be worthless (it's a runnersworld forum about good shoe stores in Central NJ).

http://forums.runnersworld.com/eve/forums/a/t pc/f/687106477/m/2381089434

CHeck out Feet Fleet in Montclair- they were great and really helped me get my running shoes (Asics Gel Nimbus 9 for narrow feet and high arches!)

They are a chain store and have a website if you care to check it out online.

Awesome! I guess I have some shopping to do... hehe, no complaining here!

Thanks for the links Shannon72781 and Mandymoo2182.

Fleet Feet is very good.  There are a number of others, but don't go to a Foot Locker or anything like it - you need to go to a running store specifically.

And, your shoes may be perfect for you - some people are just more susceptible to ingrown toenails and the like, and it just blows!  My wife (who is very active) finally had half her big toenail taken out because she continued to get ingrown nails and subsequent infections.

You need to go to the dr.  If it is not getting better with at home treatment the dr will have to remove at least that section of the nail, and give you antibiotics.  You will be out of commision for at least a week or two while it starts to heal. 

My degree is in medical assisting, and I did that for some time before I moved on to my current profession.  I have assisted with the procedure many many times.  They numb up the toe with a shot or 2, then take off that section of the nail.  It sucks....but trust me it is better than letting the infection spread and risk losing more than just a section of the nail. 

I hope this helps and didnt scare you too badly.  Just trying to be honest and helpful.   If you want a last ditch at home effort you can try cutting away as much nail as you can and soaking in warm water and peroxide.  If you can stand it you can try to open it up and release some of the puss and pressure. 

I hope it clears up....with or without medical intervention.  

Thanks Jennmary - the problem is, there really is no nail pushing into the side of my toe. I usually cut the corners out every time I trim my nails because I am prone to ingrown toe nails. UGH.

Last night, I didn't have it covered up because I didn't want to keep the area too moist, so I just let it dry out until this morning. This morning I was able to squeeze a little of the infection out and have put more antibiotic cream on it with band aids and I am wearing loose loafers. Tonight I will soak it again and tomorrow too, hopefully it will get better. If not, I will head to the doctors!

I use to have the same problem.  I do a lot of running (still play soccer).  The key I've found over the years is to NOT cut your nails at an angle, but straight across.  Even keeping them a bit longer.  When you clip it and rip it off, there's a little jagged edge.  When the nail keeps growing, the jagged edge grows into your skin.  My husband won't listen and he continues to clip/rip his nails resulting in repeated ingrown toe nail.  That's the only bit of advice I have.  It's been years since I've had one.  I knew a girl on my team in high school that had to have her nail removed.  She was out for a while.  NO FUN!

Best of luck, hope you feel better soon.  Good job at pushing yourself to keep running!

Another vote to go to the Doc's.  I home treated an infection on my leg and almost lost it.  Keep your foot elevated as much as possible until you can go. 

Ack! Don't cut the corners out if you are prone to ingrown toe nails! That will just encourage more. Let them grow out.

As for the infected toe - you should get a doc to examine it. It may or may not need to be drained if its an abscess.

More on ingrown toenails...

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00 154

I do have problems running - due to ankle and knee injuries from soccer in HS, after about 20 minutes of running, either one ankle or the other (or sometimes both) swell up and it feels like there is something tearing on the inner side of my ankle. If I walk for a few minutes and limp it off, I can usually squeeze out another 10 minutes. Not ideal at all. Also, I am spoiled and back in HS/college had trainers wrap both of my ankles for me.

Please, please please go to a sports medicine doc and get this looked at. Running through pain and "squeezing out another 10 minutes" is not a good idea. If you have an underlying injury and run on it you can do yourself some real damage. Please get this checked out by professionals. 

I soaked mine in epson(sp) salt and it cleared it up in a couple of days. IT was totally infected, swollen, could only wear flip flops.

Friday afternoon I was having trouble getting around, and leaving for Delaware in a few hours wasn't making the situation any better.

I called my general doctor (practically my entire family - aunts, cousins, uncles, parents, ect. go to him so he is used to us) and explained my predicament and told him my self-medicating regime thus far. He called in an antiobiotic prescription to the pharmacy a block from work - something similar to penicillin. I am on that for 10 days as of Friday night.

When I got to Delaware, I soaked my foot in hot water and peroxide, trying to loosen up the skin and push the infection out. I did that for maybe 45minutes. It seems to have gone down a little since then, but it is still uncomfortable to wear regular shoes (hello Uggs with dress pants!).

I am calling a podiatrist who several family members go to, and will hopefully be able to get in for an appointment tomorrow. I think everyone is right about not ripping the corners out when cutting nails - it used to work for me but not any more. I can feel something sharp cutting into my toe when I put pressure on the front part of the toe - UGH.

SO needless to say, I only did tae bo barefoot thursday night for 20 minutes and have spent the rest of the weekend wearing flip flops and just walking around.

My boyfriend and dad both had problems with their toes too and had part of the nail removed down to the root --- I just hope I don't have to go through that. ALL I WANT TO DO IS GO FOR A RUN!

I seem to have acquired an ingrown toenail on my left big toe over the weekend. It doesn't look infected though (no pus or redness yet), but it is hard and very painful, I'm definately having trouble walking. I just want it to go away! Maybe I'll try the soaking in warm water/salt idea tonight.