My feet look like Jurrasic Park

[eerie_reverie]

Between the pus-filled blisters and the blackened nails barely hanging on to the toes, it's not a pretty sight.

 

Will the damage be permanent, and is there anything I can do to avoid it?

 

My shoes are not too tight and my toenails are cut as low as possible, but the way I run, I seem to be pushing my socks into the little spaces between flesh and nail. My index toenails are black.

[tman666]

The damage won't be permanent (unless you somehow break your feet), but you'll likely lose your toenails for a while...

[johan]

What kind of socks do you wear?

[eerie_reverie]

What kind of socks do you wear?

 

Normal cotton ones.

 

But I got some outrageously expensive nylon "running" socks yesterday. I just tried them on, and admittedly, they are pretty cool, very smooth and designed not to bunch. I think they will help with the blisters, at least.

 

Between my $100+ shoes, ipod + sports pack, nylon socks, thermal underwear, and balaclava, this is turning into a pretty expensive habit. Who knew running was this complicated?

[johan]

I recommend you try Wright socks. They are two, thin layers that slide on each other. One layer sticks to the shoe, the other to your foot. So no abrasion or pulling on your skin. I've been wearing them for running (mostly trails) for years, after a series of painful blisters and bloody toes from cotton socks. Now my feet are in much better shape even when I'm running a lot.

[eerie_reverie]

I recommend you try Wright socks. They are two, thin layers that slide on each other. One layer sticks to the shoe, the other to your foot. So no abrasion or pulling on your skin. I've been wearing them for running (mostly trails) for years, after a series of painful blisters and bloody toes from cotton socks. Now my feet are in much better shape even when I'm running a lot.

 

 

Thanks, I'll check those out.

 

Have you ever heard of covering feet with vaseline? That's also supposed to help with blisters but it sounds messy/ disgusting.

[johan]

Thanks, I'll check those out.

 

Have you ever heard of covering feet with vaseline? That's also supposed to help with blisters but it sounds messy/ disgusting.

 

That sounds like a bad idea to me. In the warmth of your shoe, Vaseline is just going to break down. What a mess that would turn into.

 

You could try New Skin on the wounds you already have. That stuff is great.

 

I don't recommend the duct tape trick either. It will unstick after 20 minutes or so. I know from experience.

 

I really think those socks are the way to go (you can read the reviews on them on Amazon). If not those, definitely avoid socks with a lot of cushion, because if your feet get hot they will blister. Particularly if they are soaking in sweat. You want thin socks that allow your feet to stay cool and dry.

 

You may also want to check out the Runner's World forums.

Edited November 18, 2010 by johan

[Enema]

Never understood this one. My wife's toenails fall off when she runs and she gets blisters too.

 

I think it's something to do with running form and the shoes/socks combination.

 

I switched to barefoot (Vibram 5 Fingers) quite a while ago and have been absolutely injury free since. We didn't evolve to run with shoes.

 

/pulpit

[Star Gazer]

I recommend you try Wright socks. They are two, thin layers that slide on each other. One layer sticks to the shoe, the other to your foot. So no abrasion or pulling on your skin. I've been wearing them for running (mostly trails) for years, after a series of painful blisters and bloody toes from cotton socks. Now my feet are in much better shape even when I'm running a lot.

 

These sound fascinating!!! I'm so prone to blisters, so I'm gonna have to check these puppies out!