Running can be grand for your body and soul, but it can wreak havoc on your feet. One of its side effects is sometimes an ingrown black toenail -- but runners are not the only ones who can end up with such an unattractive and often painful development. An ingrown black nail is likely a combination of the ingrown nail affected by consistent trauma, a fungal infection or both.
Description
Pain is one of the most common side effects of an ingrown black toenail, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and "Money Watch." The skin surrounding the nail is often puffy and swollen, and the nail sometimes even begins to grow into the surrounding skin. The discoloration of the nail can either cover the entire nail or be concentrated in one area.
Ingrown Nail Causes
Cutting your toenails too short, or clipping them with a rounded edge rather than straight across, often leads to an ingrown nail, say APMA and "Money Watch," and there are few other possible causes. Ingrown nails are sometimes an inherited trait. Other times they come about from shoes that pinch or crowd the toes, or even from regular activities that consistently put pressure on your feet.
Blackness Causes
Fungal infections often turn toenails black, or the discoloration can arise from a condition called runner's nail. Runner's nail, which is also common in ballerinas and others who put a lot of concentrated pressure on their toes, turns a nail black where the pressure consistently hits. Fungus and runner's nail both lead to nails that are discolored, thickened and sometimes painful. Fungus includes an infection, whereas runner's nail alone does not.
Runner's Nail and Fungus Combination
Runner's nail often leads to a fungal infection. The thickened runner's nail can crack or lead to an injured nail bed, both of which make fungal infections more likely. Runners and other athletes who suffer from runner's nail are also likely to have sweaty feet or frequent wet areas where people walk around barefoot and fungus thrives, such as locker room showers or swimming pools.
Treatment
A visit to a foot specialist is the ideal remedy for treating an ingrown black toenail, according to APMA and Money Watch. A professional is best able to assess the situation, exact cause, and recommend a successful plan of action. A variety of fungal medications are on the market or, if the condition is too far gone for medication, doctors may surgically remove the affected toenail.
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