How Do I Stop My Toenails From Falling Off When I Walk?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Try silicone toe pads. They may help absorb some of the pressure from running.
  2. Find a running shoe that fits. …
  3. Keep your toenails cut short. …
  4. Tie your laces properly. …
  5. Wear good socks.

What does it mean if your toenails fall off easily?

The two most common reasons for a toenail falling off are

injuries and fungal infections

. We’ll start with injuries. Sometimes the precipitating cause is obvious—say you dropped a heavy book on your toe, or stubbed it on a sturdy table leg. However, more often small impacts over time are the principal problem.

Can your toenails fall off from walking?

“Runners can experience discolored nails, which is a collection of blood beneath the nail plate (subungual hematoma) as a result of microtrauma to the toe against the ‘shoe box,’” Rothschild said.

The bleeding can in turn cause the nail plate to separate from the nail bed and—yup—fall off.

How do you treat hiking toenails?

Remove as much of the nail with a toenail clipper as soon as possible so that the underlying nail bed can start to heal. Continue soaking using Epsom salts in warm water for ten minutes a day. If your pain increases, you see red streaks going up your toe or pus, it’s time to see a Seattle podiatrist.

How do you protect your toes when hiking downhill?

  1. Larger Boots. Just as runners often buy trainers in the next size up, hikers often need walking boots which are a half or a whole size larger than their usual foot size. …
  2. Learn To Lace. …
  3. Socks. …
  4. Foot Powder. …
  5. Foot Care Al Fresco. …
  6. Use Walking Poles. …
  7. Pack Light.

Should I be worried if my toenail falls off?

Outcome. While a toenail falling off is

usually not a major medical concern

, it can be painful and annoying. In some cases, a damaged or detaching toenail may become infected, or it may be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

Will a fallen toenail grow back?

If your toenail falls off,

it’ll usually grow back within a few months to a year

. However, depending on the cause and the size of the lost toenail, it could take up to two years. Contact your doctor if your toenail won’t stop bleeding or you have severe pain.

How can I strengthen my toenails?

  1. Take a biotin supplement. …
  2. Minimize exposure to water. …
  3. Stay hydrated. …
  4. Pay attention to your diet. …
  5. Be careful about the products you use. …
  6. Avoid using gel or acrylic nails, if possible. …
  7. Give your nails a break from polish.

What serious illness makes your toenails fall off?

You have a

nail fungus

A nail fungal infection, known as onychomycosis, is one of the most common reasons that toenails detach from the nail bed and fall off.

Do toenails fall off with diabetes?


Diabetes can also restrict circulation to your feet, which creates the right conditions for fungus to grow and your toenail to fall off

. When fungus grows untreated on your foot, it can sever the connective tissue between your toenail and your foot. And eventually, that causes to your toenail falling off.

What does onycholysis look like?

If you have onycholysis,

your nail will begin to peel upward from the nail bed

. This is not usually painful. The affected nail may become yellow, greenish, purple, white, or gray, depending on the cause. Share on Pinterest Onycholysis is the separation of the nail from the nail bed.

How do I know if I will lose my toenail?

  1. Yellow, brown or white discoloration.
  2. Thickening of the nail.
  3. Discharge.
  4. Odor.
  5. And in some cases, swelling and pain.

Why do my toenails hurt after walking?

Even if you wear the best running shoes, your toenails – the big one in particular – slam into the front of your shoe with each forward stride. This

repetitive, forceful contact between nail and shoe causes blood to pool under your toenail

. The blood can lead to pressure, throbbing, and intense pain.

Why do my big toenails hurt after hiking?

Firstly,

on treks where there are long, steep descents, there’s a lot of pressure on your toes

. With every step, your toe hits your shoe, and with the thousands of steps that you take, it damages the sensory nerves in your toes. When sensory nerves are damaged, they take away sensation from that area.

What does an injured toenail look like?

Trauma to your toenails will, in most cases, cause pain that can last a few days. Color. When the blood vessels break, they bleed out under your toenails. You will notice

areas that start a reddish color, turn purple, become dark brown, and finally turn black

.

What is the white stuff under my toenails?


Nail fungus

is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. It can affect several nails.

Should toes touch end of hiking boots?

With a proper fit, your heel should be locked in place inside the boot to prevent friction and the blisters it engenders;

your toes shouldn’t hit the front of the boot while going downhill

(the number one cause of blackened toenails); and there should be minimal extra space around your foot, though you should have …

What are toe protectors?

How much room should you have in a hiking boot?

A good rule of thumb is to

allow a full thumb’s width of space or one-to-two fingers

. Depending on the size of a finger, there is a little bit of wiggle room between them but think as average as possible. If the fingers or thumb, move too easily between the space, then they are most likely too big.

Should I let my toenail fall off naturally?

If you have a damaged toenail, you might be tempted to remove it yourself. But while damaged toenails sometimes fall off on their own,

it’s not a good idea to force that process

. Removing a damaged toenail yourself could lead to serious complications that end up making matters worse.

How long does it take a toenail to grow back?

So how long is it going to take your toenail to grow back? If you see that your nail has separated from your nail bed and won’t reattach, don’t worry, a new nail will grow back. A new toenail will take

up to one and a half years

to grow back.

Will a dead toenail fall off on its own?


Over time the damaged nail will fall off on its own

and be replaced with a new pink healthy nail. On some occasions when the memory part known as the matrix is damaged the nail may grow back abnormal including slightly discoloured and thickened.

How can I speed up my toenail growth?

  1. Take biotin. Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that allows the body to turn food into energy. …
  2. Use nail hardeners (sparingly) Nail softness makes nails more prone to breaking, which increases the need for nail regrowth. …
  3. Avoid glue-on nails and toxic polishes. …
  4. Practice good grooming.
Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.