Marathon training and toenails

Wow, that does sound gross.  Do you sharpen the paper clip somehow...I mean it would have to pretty hot to melt a toenail wouldn't it? 

And how many days did you take off running after you popped it?  I'm doing a half mary race this weekend as a tune up.

You just hold it in a flame until it glows red.  Then you sorta twist it back and forth on the same spot on your nail.  It'll go through eventually.

Not saying that's what you should do, but that's how it's done.

I've used thick needles before. I mean...if you were to do that sort of thing.

Just make sure its hot, hot, hot like Derek said.

If you do it tonight you should be good to go by the weekend. Oh, take pictures too!

Just found this on some random site:

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If the toe hurts too much, especially 24 hours later, you should release the pressure underneath by one of two methods. It's always better to have this done by a doctor, but I've heard from hundreds of runners who've done this by themselves without any significant problems. It's up to you.

1. If the edge of the fluid is near the tip of the toenail, a sharp sewing needle can do the job. Sterilize it by putting it in the flame of a match or lighter until the tip becomes red hot. Be sure to insulate the end of the needle so that you aren't holding it directly with your fingers. After a couple of minutes, when the needle is cool, send it into the thin layer of skin, at the edge of the toenail, where you see water underneath. Let the water come out. Enlarge the hole slightly and insert some triple antibiotic cream up underneath, squeezing it around to speed up the healing time.

2. If the fluid is in the center of the nail, sterilize a paper clip by putting it in the flame of a match or lighter until the tip becomes red hot. As in # 1 above, make sure that your fingers are insulated from directly touching the paperclip. While it is red, place the clip into the center of the fluid area. It will quickly melt the nail, producing a nice round hole by which the fluid can escape. As in # 1 above, squirt some triple antibiotic cream underneath, squeezing it around to speed up the healing time.

These methods may seem like something out of a torture textbook, but they don't have to hurt. Again, if you have any doubts, see a doctor.

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Popping the blister is a huge relief.  You'll be able to run right after.

ROFLMAO....only you, Comet!

I think I'll give it that 24 hours before I spark up the gas grill and pull out the instruments of torture.  Thanks guys!

I would go this route.   I had it done when one of my toe nails turned black when I was training for cross country.  It was quick and painless and my toenail didnt fall off.  I was able to run on it no problem.

We usually do it this way with a needle.  Didn't think she'd have a large guage needle laying around the house though. 

I would think you'd be ok. You're pretty healthy right? I've done much worse...we won't talk about me popping blisters in the car with my earring post...

But did you then put the earring back in your ear?

We need pics to prove it. 

I remembered the camera about 10 minutes too late.  Too bad too, because the stuff spurting across my bathroom would have made a great action shot

It's still a little tender to the touch so I'm going to put off running until tomorow.

16 or 18 would work.  Just want the hole to be big enough to let the blood out.  Just put a tiny bit of pressure on it and twist it back and forth.  Don't wanna stab yourself in the toe when it finally goes through.

Ok, I've tried to stay away from this thread but since I had to know what was going with my bud Cindy I just read the whole thing.  I'm squeamish about this stuff.

If this ever happens to me I'm screwed.  I almost just ran to the bathroom to throw up. 

<<<shiver>>> 

<<<shudder>>>

I don't deal with this stuff well.  Ewwwwww.

Cindy, I'm glad it's feeling better and you'll still be able to run on Sunday with us!

I think I just threw up a little bit.  I have to go now.  Uck.

i used the drill bit method in the past and it works wonders.

now... how to prevent this....  There are two causes that I'm aware of that causes this in runners.  The first is a short toe box pushing the nail backwards toward the cuticle repeatedly.  Every time it's shoved, you get micro-tears on the nail bed until enough is damaged that it starts to bleed and detach.  The other cause is the tip of the nail catching on the seam that runs around the toe box, so with every step, the nail is slightly lifted up and away from the nail bed.  Again, after a while, it damages it enough to make it bleed and seperate.

how to stop it.... Keep your nails really short, wear shoes that the right length (sometimes a half size larger then normal), and wear thicker socks if you are prone to this problem.  I use the smartwool running socks and swear by them.

Anyone that skims posts or reads them quickly, please realize that this post says to hold the drill bit in your hand, not the drill.