Purple toe nail

[newbieM]

Anyone know what I need to ask my boot fitter to do if my toe keeps turning purple every season?

My toe seemed ok coming out of the boot except I needed to remember to trim my nails more before every ski weekend. But the next day the entire nail bed is purple. Same thing last season.

 

[Jilly]

I suspect you're going to need a punch out. Just show him/ her the toe. Had it on both feet with my Hawks.

 

[newbieM]

will do! I’ll try to hit my boot fitter before I leave town.

 

[Chute Goddess]

My brother and I refer to this as "toe jam football." We both get it every season. I don't know how to prevent it but a pedicure will cover it up!

 

[newbieM]

My brother and I refer to this as "toe jam football." We both get it every season. I don't know how to prevent it but a pedicure will cover it up!

Have you found anything to make it hurt less? Toe is pretty sensitive.

 

[Jilly]

You can try mole skin.

 

[zookeepr]

This is also called skiers toe. Trimming toe nails can help but often it happens if boots are too tight or too loose. Giving your feet a rest, epsom salt soaks, and releasing the pressure are a few ways to deal with it.

My issue was boots being too big and toes getting slammed. It got bad enough to get a blood bruise underneath the big toe nails, losing part of my nail a few seasons ago (thankfully it grew back). I switched boot fitters and got new boots. It did come back slightly last weekend after my boots got punched out probably a bit too much. Struggles of wide feet with very narrow heels and ankles.

 

[Chute Goddess]

Have you found anything to make it hurt less? Toe is pretty sensitive.

I would do an epsom salt foot soak, take care of your nails and then maybe put some arnica on your toe. Also maybe incorporate collagen into vitiman regime? It's good for nails! And see a boot fitter!

 

[IceHeeler]

Have you found anything to make it hurt less? Toe is pretty sensitive.

It may help to occasionally wear Toe Caps. I tend to jam my toenails by tripping on things. I've found that if I wear a toe cap during the day after bruising a nail, I am far less likely to lose the nail. I also wear them while running or skiing if the nail is already bruised.

 

[zookeepr]

Chatted with my ski shop and a former racer turned boot fitter recommended taping toenails down to keep the nail bed from moving when skiing. I did a self stick bandage to create a thin layer for sports tape to stick to instead of my toenail. Tried it twice so far and no new bruising. The volume shims they added to my boots could also have helped but will keep taping to be safe.

 

[HuntersEmma57]

Chatted with my ski shop and a former racer turned boot fitter recommended taping toenails down to keep the nail bed from moving when skiing. I did a self stick bandage to create a thin layer for sports tape to stick to instead of my toenail. Tried it twice so far and no new bruising. The volume shims they added to my boots could also have helped but will keep taping to be safe.

Thanks! Great tip. I had that cropping up with new boot. I started wearing ski specific compression socks and no issues since. Also rigorous maintenance of toenail length.
Oh the things we will do to slide down mountains! Totally worth it.

 

[brooksnow]

Also rigorous maintenance of toenail length.

Absolutely this. I keep clippers in my bag because sometimes nails that seem fine in the morning are too long at lunch.

I recently got a pair of toenail clippers that are straight instead of curved. They work so much better! It takes a little longer to clip clip clip clip but I can control the angles myself instead of having to use the built in curve. Then I round over the top edge of the nail (rather severely) so it doesn't stick up at all to catch on the sock or the boot.

 

[scandium]

Absolutely this. I keep clippers in my bag because sometimes nails that seem fine in the morning are too long at lunch.

I recently got a pair of toenail clippers that are straight instead of curved. They work so much better! It takes a little longer to clip clip clip clip but I can control the angles myself instead of having to use the built in curve. Then I round over the top edge of the nail (rather severely) so it doesn't stick up at all to catch on the sock or the boot.

Clippers + file for me - toenail maintenance is almost like maintaining edges on your skis! Start with the coarser/bigger adjustments then smooth it off...

 

[Eera]

My son had this: giving his nail a good trim seemed to help

 

[Puppyski]

I lost toe nails for a couple of seasons with my old boots. Turns out the foam was degrading. I was only on the slopes a handful of days each season for a while, so I had not felt like I needed new boots since they got so little wear each year.

I had bruising and damage during ski season, and then would lose my big toenails in the summer.

New boots solved the problem. I was in my new (well fitting) boots 15 days this season and no issues.

And yes, I always have my nail clipper handy. That is key to happy toes!