I think the cause of this is blood pooling in the toes. I'm pretty sure I read a while back something about runners and athletes having the problem because they are on their feet with so much movement and hte blood pools and their toenails fall off. And I just found this article, should help a bit
Dear Alice,
One of my big toe's toenails fell off and the other one is coming
loose. They do not hurt, but look dead. Will new ones grow back — what
could have caused this?
end question
start answer
Dear Reader,
The loss of a toenail, also called
onychoptosis (which literally means "falling nail" in Greek), can be largely blamed on two major culprits — fungus and injury.
Fungus
Several different types of microscopic fungi can cause onychoptosis by
feeding on keratin, the tough protein that makes up toenails.
Onychoptosis caused by fungus isn't that rare a problem — 3 to 5
percent of Americans are affected, as are up to 18 percent of people
worldwide.
Toenail fungus can cause toenails to do the following:
- turn yellow, brown, or white.
- become thick and overgrown.
- crumble and fall off.
Nails that fall off because of fungal infection will grow back, but
the new nail will probably become infected, similar to the old one.
Since the condition rarely goes away on its own, it's smart to talk
with a health care provider about an accurate diagnosis and then
possible treatments. After examining your foot, the provider may remove
a large amount of the infected nail (if there's any of it left).
Depending on the extent of the infection, s/he may also give you a
prescription anti-fungal toenail polish, such as Loceryl or Loprox, or
oral anti-fungals, such as Sporanox and Lamisil. If a toenail resists
treatment, it can also be removed surgically.
The fungi that cause
onychoptosis thrive in dark, moist
environments, so wearing tight shoes, socks, and stockings, as well as
thick nail polish, can increase your risk of developing the condition.
The fungi are also easily transferred from foot to foot and from person
to person, hence why locker rooms are notorious for transmitting such
things as toenail fungus and athlete's foot. An inexpensive pair of
sandals or shower shoes can help you avoid picking anything up the next
time you hit the showers.
Injury
Might you be an athlete? When you kick a soccer ball, pivot for a
fade-away jumper, or stop short at the net for a volley, your toes can
get jammed against your shoes, sometimes causing a trauma that can
result in the loss of a nail. If a toe gets smacked hard or repeatedly,
the result can be a
subungual hematoma — painful bleeding under
the toenail that can, in more serious cases, cause the nail to fall
off. If a subungual hematoma appears to be expanding quickly, it's a
good idea to have a health care provider or trainer help you drain the
blood from under the nail, a treatment that, when done quickly and
correctly, can help keep the nail from falling off. If the blood
appears to have spread to more than 25 percent of the nail, it's wise
to have a health care provider examine the toe for bone fractures.
Whatever the cause of your nail loss, a replacement should grow back
within several months. To prevent further foot problems and maintain
happy and healthy toenails, keep these suggestions in mind:
- Wear fresh socks made of natural fibers (e.g., cotton) or synthetic
materials that wick moisture away from the skin, allowing your feet to
breathe.
- Buy well-fitted shoes that give your toes plenty of room. For
example, wear shoes that have a wide toe box, rather than pointed toes.
- Keep your toenails trimmed across in a straight line.
That should help you nail down the problem.
Hope it gets better.
-aaron
if you toe is jamming into the front of your boot constantly does that mean my boots don't fit right, or is it just the way ski boots are?
