Another Toe Question

[uuf361]

I was out all day yesterday doing a preparation for my upcoming bike test.

Thought my feet were just cold but got home to a rather painful and black (big) toe nail........not sure if it is due to an ill fitting boot, the cold (unlikely) or using it (thru the boot) to change gear all day.....

It's a little painful to walk now, but is there anything I should be doing to make it heal more quickly ?

[Mobile Chicane]

It's a bruise under the nail.

The nail will go black and fall off, though it will grow back - eventually.

Very common with runners and walkers.

[uuf361]

Mmm, thanks - I'm just trying to work out how it happened (ill-fitting boot or something else/more sinister!)......

Anything I can do to make it hurt less.

Need it to be healed in 3 weeks time as I have 3 days riding and a test to do!

[ShadownINja]

That or "climber's toe" because climbers have really, really tight shoes which squeeze the toes. If the rest of the toe starts going a funny colour then seek medical help!

[Mazdarese]

uuf361 said:

Mmm, thanks - I'm just trying to work out how it happened (ill-fitting boot or something else/more sinister!)......

Anything I can do to make it hurt less.

Need it to be healed in 3 weeks time as I have 3 days riding and a test to do!

I doubt it will heal in 3 weeks. I did a similar thing playing football, and it took a couple of months for the new nail to come through and push the other one off.

[Smashed]

Pliers?

Do your boots not have toe protectors? I personally change gear with the knuckle of my toe not my toe itself. Maybe you could just adjust your ride style a bit so you aren't up changing with your toe.

[uuf361]

Smashed said:

Pliers?

Do your boots not have toe protectors? I personally change gear with the knuckle of my toe not my toe itself. Maybe you could just adjust your ride style a bit so you aren't up changing with your toe.

Yep, have proper Sidi's so with toe protectors - might need to change the way I change gear to avoid it again.......as I really want to take (and pass) the test in 3 weeks (weather permitting)....

Toe looking a lot less black tonight too

[Mobile Chicane]

Clipping your toenails really short (though obviously not down to the quick) will prevent this from happening again, to some extent.

Their going black is 'just' bruising due to the toenail getting hot / rubbed.

However the nail will fall off. Nothing you can do about that.

[Smashed]

tbh though last time I had a nail fall off I could touch the top of it with no pain or anything. You might find it'll all be okay anyway.

[uuf361]

Hope so - it's getting less painful bit by bit so will hopefully be OK - not too worried if it falls off as long as it's not too painful - think I'll have to adjust my riding style (or get thicker boots/socks to stop it happening again......

[dave_s13]

Your nail may well NOT fall off.

I've seen folk before who've had a nail off due to IGTN's caused by high bike miles. It means 100's of gearchanges every week and this damages the nail plate.

If it doesn't hurt, don't worry about it. If it DOES hurt then think about having the nail assessed for removal as it may be a continuing source of irritation when you're riding. This is the best time of year to get is done as you'd be fecking mental to be out on a bike in this weather! Mine is tucked away in the garage 'til April.

[Scraggles]

had both my painful ingrowing toe nails removed a few years ago, injection to the sides, top and bottom of the foot, it fking hurts ! then they did the other one, apparently ok to swear

week off my feet went back to work, wounds ripped open, cue another 3 weeks with my feet up, so tv / movies, no pc gaming

utter bored at the end, but they no longer cause pain

[dave_s13]

Should only need to inject top of the toe?? 1 injection each side. It does sting/burn a bit.

Most people only need one day off work and can go back to work etc. Just no football, rugby, kicking dog for a bit.

[uuf361]

Hurting a lot less now, still the same colour, but hasn't stopped me getting out and about in the snow (in the car!) and clearing the drive, having a snowball fight etc

[MuffDaddy]

I simply had both big toe nails removed from the root. Don't have any problems now.

Of course no one will go near my feet

[Scraggles]

I work on site and wear to-tecs, chiropodist did not like the idea, so signed me off, ended up using holiday and sickness for the end of the year, healed well, bored to tears

boss asked if I needed more time off in january, declined the offer