BLOODY TOES? RUNNER'S TOE?

Ok, don’t mean to be graphic but some of you asked for it!

To be less graphic and more medical, it is a subungual hematoma to be exact. Sub meaning under and ungual meaning nail for all you Scrabble players out there.

When your toes continuously slam into the toe box of a sneaker (like when you run) or when they slide forward into a hard shoe, it creates continued trauma by forcing the nail backwards into the nail bed. With repetition, the nail begins to pull away from the nail bed and bleeding occurs. Leading to the dreaded bloody and black and blue “runners toe”.

A Morton’s foot aka Mediterranean foot aka long second toe structure has more of a chance of dealing with this injury.

TIP #1: When fitting for a sneaker make sure the front of the toe box is one thumb width away from the tip of the toe.
TIP #2: Lace up your kicks like i do in this video to give a little extra room to the first and second toe.
TIP #3: Keep the nails trimmed down enough so it’s not the nail hitting the shoe.
TIP #4: Get a proper shoe fitting! You might not actually be the size you think you are!
TIP #5: And of course, if something feels really off, see a Podiatrist for care!

Let me know how it goes with this lacing technique! Comment below with a 🦶 if this helps! @hokaoneone