active network espn
Click to view smadachy's profile Expert 56 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

Dec 1, 2006 8:19 AM

tip of 2nd toe

I think it started as a blister that never popped 1 1/2 week ago. Now, it's pretty dark red/purple and sore to touch. The nail is fine though. Has anyone experienced this? My toe is much shorter than the big toe, so I'm sure it isn't the shoe, maybe it is the sock. I know I need to see a pod., just wanted to get some info here first. Having someone probe around on a painful toe gives me the creeps. Thanks!
Click to view ljgood's profile Amateur 20 posts since
Jul 9, 2007
1. Dec 2, 2006 12:09 PM in response to: smadachy
Re: tip of 2nd toe
Where is the spot located? Around the nail it could be paronychia. There is no foreign body? Since it is tender and has been there for over a week, it sounds like it could be infected. I would see a doctor to be sure.
Click to view journeygirl's profile Amateur 18 posts since
Jul 9, 2007
2. Dec 21, 2006 10:37 PM in response to: smadachy
Re: tip of 2nd toe
This is a common distance problem. I run with it, too. I tried a different shoe with a wider toe box, but that gave me blisters on the tips of all ten. I went back to my Asics - better to have one toe blistering on each foot. You can try switching shoes, it may help.

I've had people tell me to lube up the toes with glide or vaseline. Others say tape it. You'll just have to try a few different things to see what works for you - but don't test stuff during really long runs. I run with a blister bandaid over it and just deal. It's that or stop running and I can't do that. :) Good luck
Click to view FrigginOmlet's profile Rookie 2 posts since
Jul 9, 2007
3. Dec 28, 2006 8:20 AM in response to: smadachy
Re: tip of 2nd toe
funny, I commented to my wife this morning about my second toe and the blister I have on it

I recently increased my runs from 4.5 to 6.2 miles so I am not surprised - I was navy special boats unit in the 90s so I used to run (not by choice) in boots

I'll take a little blister on my toe over knee and foot issues in boots any day :)

O
Click to view kmlrunner's profile Rookie 3 posts since
Jul 9, 2007
4. Jan 2, 2007 5:17 PM in response to: smadachy
Re: tip of 2nd toe
I have had this problem but it got worse... my toenail has fallen off twice in the last year. I thought it was my shoes, so I got new ones (twice) and it still happened. It never hurt while running...I then started to think about what could be the cause and I realized I was pulling my socks so tight that it bent my toe. I know it sounds crazy but it is all I can think of. I am very careful to not pull my socks now, so we'll see if that does the trick
Click to view ArmyNurse's profile Amateur 28 posts since
Jul 9, 2007
5. Jan 10, 2007 4:52 PM in response to: smadachy
Re: tip of 2nd toe
I had the same thing happen to me on the 2nd toe of each foot. Eventually, both toes turned purple, black, and then fell off. They have since grown back. My running partner told me that it was a condition known as "runner's toes." It occurred simultaneously with an increase in distance (from 2 miles to 5 miles 4-5 days a week) and running on sand or gravel roads (in Iraq). By the way, did I mention that I'm in boots 12-14 hours a day??????? I'm glad to say that it hasn't occured since.
Click to view irungrl's profile Community Moderator 148 posts since
Jul 3, 2007
6. Jan 12, 2007 10:08 AM in response to: smadachy
Re: tip of 2nd toe
Same toe both feet! I have tried vaseline, body glide, toe cots, Band-Aid, new shoes, smaller socks, & larger socks. I do not have issues in training anymore and thought the "issue" was over & done with. However, I will lose a toenail or two after a few marathons each year. Most foot issues are with the shoes one wears, but according to my Sports Dr. this issue seems to do with how the toes move when running. Since there is no way to condition my toes to move another way I just deal with it. Like another poster said the only option is to stop running and that's not going to happen with me! I'd love to hear what other runners have to say about this!
Happy running.