treatment of acute "runner's nails" ?

[buckyball1]

Hi all-looking for advice after brutalizing my little toes Saturday-much worse than the occasional black nail i've had in the past. Hiked too long, too fast, downhills; nails not well trimmed and soft from sweat during hike-perfect storm.

For hours my little toes had a jolt of pain with almost every step and when i finally hobbled to the car, one nail was black, the other less discolored (both extremely sensitive to touch)-skin around nail beds red/warm.

Silly me, i hoped to hike later this week..now 3 days later..pain and redness in skin of toe around and below nail beds is gone, but nails and nail beds themselves sensitive to any touch/pressure)--one nail black, one may make it. I can't wear sneakers (much less boots) as even moderate contact with nail causes discomfort. It's been TEVAs and no socks--everyday movement and even 1-2 mile walk on level ground (to relieve my craziness) are no problem and pretty much totally painless, but nails/nail beds touch sensitive. I haven't even considered my normal running schedule.

I finally read up on runners nail/subungual hematoma and found "drill the nail" (i'm guessing way too late for this now and it made me cringe ), epsom salt soaks (doing them twice a day) and need to watch for bacterial and fungal infections

I know you don't profess to be doctors (well most of you), but i'd appreciate any advice/suggestions to get me back in the woods asap. I am as obsessive any of you (and that's saying a bit ) --already struggling with inactivity while not wanting to damage myself any more. If the toes don't continue to improve or at any sign of infection, i'll see a Dr, but hope to avoid that

many thanks
jim

 

[Snowflea]

Most sources will tell you not to do this, but... I speak from mucho experience here.

This is what has worked for me: When I know there is fluid under the nailbed, I use a sterilized needle and very gently puncture the skin just below the nail. Because you're puncturing just the skin, you shouldn't feel any pain. Have a tissue handy to absorb the fluid. You should feel instant relief upon draining the fluid off. You may need to repeat the next day. The nails will eventually come off.

I have done this probably 50 times in my life and have never gotten an infection.

Good luck!

 

[Maddy]

Have you tried running like the Tarahumara?

If you haven't already, check out the book
Born to Run. Chris McDougall
Fantastic read, and great advice.

 

[TCD]

That's a good read. Lot's of truth to it, and it's a fun story. I thought the same thing as soon as I saw "boots" mentioned in the OP. The only times I have lost nails were from wearing boots (hiking, ski, climbing, etc.). Obviously, for some sports, you need a boot, like alpine skiing. But for anything else, soft shoes are the way to go.

 

[Snowflea]

Born To Run

There was also a lot of embellishment of the truth. MacDougall's telling of one of my husband's events, Coyote Fourplay, is only partially accurate.

But I do agree that it was a fun read.