black toenails
Sep. 3rd, 2005 07:25 pmSo it would seem that my last 20-mile run caused my first black toenail. Also called Runner's Toe, it's not really a blackened toenail. The constant pounding from the repeated impact of running breaks the capillaries and they bleed but the blood is trapped under the toenail. So it appears purple/black. My sister, in her 3rd year of medical school, announces that the blood needs to be drained and it's a simple matter of poking a hole in my toenail and draining the trapped fluid. I am horrified and refuse to let her anywhere near my feet. I agree to let her if she finds something online to convince me it's necessary. Some websurfing says it's ok to leave it alone if it doesn't hurt. She seems disappointed when I tell her it doesn't hurt. (It used to hurt but the pain subsided after a few days.) She still thinks it could possibly lead to my toenail dropping off but I'd rather take that chance.