Andrew Pace
Black toenails are often associated with basketball players due to the high-impact nature of the sport. The sudden starts, twists, and jumps can cause trauma to the toes, leading to a condition known as runner's toe. This condition occurs when the toes repeatedly rub against or slam into the front of the shoe, causing bleeding under the nail, which appears as a black discoloration. While it may not be dangerous, it can cause significant pain and discomfort, impacting athletic performance. To prevent black toenails, basketball players should ensure their shoes fit properly and consider sizing up to allow adequate toe room. Keeping toenails trimmed can also help prevent the nails from rubbing against the shoes.
How to prevent black toenails from basketball:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Improperly fitted shoes |
| Loose shoes cause feet to slide forward and jam against the ends | |
| Tight shoes cause toes to be cramped and hit against the end | |
| Prevention | Wear properly fitted shoes |
| Size up half a size | |
| Wear thinner socks | |
| Keep toenails short | |
| Treatment | Drain pooled blood from behind the toenail |
| Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage to prevent infection | |
| See a doctor if the toenail is very painful or if there is a dark spot that doesn't go away |
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What You'll Learn
Wear properly-fitted shoes
Wearing properly-fitted shoes is crucial to preventing black toenails. Ill-fitting shoes are a common cause of black toenails, as they can allow your toes to slide forward and jam against the ends or cramp your toes, putting pressure on your nails. To ensure your shoes fit properly, make sure there is a half-inch gap between your big toe and the end of your shoe, and that you can freely wiggle your toes. Your shoes should not be too loose or too tight.
If your shoes are too loose, your feet will slide around inside, causing your toes to jam against the ends. This can result in trauma to the nail bed, leading to bleeding and discolouration. Loose shoes can also cause your toes to rub against the tops of your shoes, leading to further irritation.
On the other hand, if your shoes are too tight, your toes will be cramped, increasing the likelihood of your toes hitting the ends and putting pressure on your nails. Tight shoes can also restrict blood flow to your toes, causing discomfort and impacting performance.
To ensure a proper fit, consider sizing up a half size from your usual shoe size, especially if your current shoes feel tight. It is also recommended to wear thinner socks, as thick socks can reduce the space for your toes and increase the likelihood of your toes hitting the ends of your shoes.
Additionally, it is important to choose shoes that are specifically designed for basketball. These shoes are designed with features that provide the necessary support and protection for the quick movements and high-impact nature of the sport. They typically have a wider toe box, providing more room for your toes to splay and reducing the likelihood of them hitting the ends of your shoes.
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Keep toenails trimmed
Keeping toenails trimmed is an important step in preventing black toenails from basketball. Black toenails are often caused by repetitive trauma to the toes, which can occur when playing basketball due to the sudden starts, twists, and turns involved in the game. This trauma can result from wearing ill-fitting shoes, such as when the feet slide forward and jam against the ends if the shoes are too loose, or when the toes are cramped and hit against the end if the shoes are too tight.
To prevent black toenails, it is recommended to keep toenails trimmed and short so that they don't rub against the shoe. This can be done by clipping them regularly. It is also suggested to size up a half size in shoes to ensure there is adequate space for the toes to move freely. Having a thumb-width distance from the tip of the longest toe to the end of the shoe is recommended.
Additionally, wearing thinner socks can help ease the pressure on the toes and protect the toenails. It is important to ensure that the shoes fit properly and are not too tight on the toes. There should be a half-inch gap between the big toe and the end of the shoe, allowing for comfortable wiggling of the toes.
Properly fitted shoes designed specifically for basketball can help prevent black toenails. It is advised to get the feet professionally measured at a local shoe store to ensure the correct size and width of the shoe are selected. This will help to reduce friction and the risk of toenail trauma.
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Wear thinner socks
Wearing thinner socks is one way to prevent black toenails from basketball. Thicker socks can cause the tip or top of your basketball shoes to press on your nail, making you more prone to developing black toenails.
You can get socks that are thinner in general, or you can explore specialised basketball socks that are thicker in the sole and thinner elsewhere. This can help you avoid black toenails while still providing cushioning and blister prevention where you need it most.
It's important to keep in mind that the fit of your shoes is crucial. If your shoes are too loose, your feet will slide forward and jam against the ends. On the other hand, if they are too tight, your toes will be cramped, and you'll still hit against the end, putting pressure on your nails.
To ensure a proper fit, keep your toenails trimmed straight across and short, leaving a thumb-width distance from the tip of your longest toe to the end of your shoe. Then, look for shoes that are wide enough for your forefoot to rest comfortably without hitting the sides. Sizing up by half a size can help ease the pressure on your toenails.
By combining thinner socks with properly fitted shoes and toenail maintenance, you can effectively reduce the risk of developing black toenails from playing basketball.
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Avoid toenail polish
Although it may be tempting to cover up discoloured toenails with nail polish, this is not recommended. While it may improve the appearance of your toenail, polish prevents your nail from breathing and isn't healthy for long periods. As such, it's best to avoid painting your toenails if you're experiencing black toenails.
Nail polish can also make it harder to monitor the health of your toenails. For example, it's important to be aware of any new developments, such as colour changes, which could indicate an underlying condition. If you regularly paint your toenails, you may not notice these changes until the damage is more severe.
In addition, if you're experiencing pain or discomfort due to black toenails, it's important to seek medical advice. A doctor may recommend draining the blood from your nail to relieve pressure and pain. However, if your toenails are painted, this could complicate the procedure and may even require the nail to be removed.
Finally, if your black toenails are caused by a fungal infection, it's important to treat the underlying issue rather than simply covering it up with nail polish. Fungal infections can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications, and it's important to address the problem early to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the foot or body.
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Drain pooled blood
Black toenails, or "runner's toe", are caused by blood collecting under the nail, known as subungual hematoma. This is usually the result of repetitive trauma, such as running or wearing ill-fitting shoes, which puts pressure on the blood vessels in the toes, causing them to break and bleed under the nail. This can also occur in sports with a lot of stop-and-start action, such as basketball.
If you are experiencing pain from a black toenail, it is recommended to see a doctor. They may perform a procedure called nail trephination, which involves draining the pooled blood by creating a small hole in the nail. This procedure can be done with a sterile needle, a sterilized paper clip, or a laser, and will be carried out under local anaesthetic. It is important to note that this procedure should not be attempted at home as it can lead to infection.
After the procedure, the nail may fall off, but this is due to the blood collection rather than the needle. A new nail will usually grow back in its place. In some cases, the doctor may need to remove the nail if it is badly damaged.
To prevent black toenails, it is recommended to keep your toenails trimmed and wear properly fitting shoes. Sizing up by half a size or wearing thinner socks can also help reduce the friction between your foot and shoe.
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Frequently asked questions
Black toenails are often caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes. Make sure your basketball shoes fit properly and aren't too tight on the toes. You should have a half-inch between your big toe and the end of your shoe and be able to freely wiggle your toes.
Keep your toenails trimmed so they don't rub against the inside of your shoe. You could also try sizing up a half size in shoes or wearing thinner socks.
Black toenails are usually caused by repetitive trauma, which can result from running or wearing ill-fitting shoes. The trauma causes bleeding under the nail, which pools and puts pressure on the toe, causing discomfort and discoloration.
If your black toenail is causing you pain, you should see a doctor or podiatrist. They may recommend draining the pooled blood by drilling a small hole in the nail or removing the toenail. In the meantime, avoid painting your toenail, as this prevents your nail from breathing.
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