A walking footballer’s guide to black toenails
- Dec 27, 2025
- 2 min read
Although walking football is a non-contact sport, injuries to toes can still happen. At some point you might even experience a black toenail. But what is it? Why does it happen? And is there anything we can do to prevent it?
We talked to Foot Health Professional, Emma Mitchell to find out more.
A black toenail - or to use the medical term, a subungual hematoma - is caused by blood collecting under the nail due to physical trauma. So in walking football, yes this could be caused by an opposition player accidentally stepping on your foot, but trauma can also be caused by toe-poking the ball or by wearing poorly fitting boots.
“If your boots are too small, you’re going to get repeated trauma because they’re going to be repeatedly squeezing against the toes,” says Emma Mitchell. This could cause a toenail to turn black. Likewise, “If boots are too big or they’re not tied sufficiently, again, your foot can slip causing the toenail to repeatedly bump inside the shoe and can lead to bruising.”
Getting the right pair of boots is essential not only for comfort but for foot health. Emma says, “You don't want boots that are too tight, but equally you need to make sure that they fit well enough so that your foot doesn't slide around.”
People who have played football for many years will probably have plenty of stories about black or even missing toenails. “If blood builds up under the nail and causes it to lift from the nail bed, you could end up losing the nail altogether."
A minor injury to the toenail might only cause a bruise, which will grow out over time. And as anyone who has had a black toenail knows, this could take a long time. Emma says, “Toenails typically take between 9 and 12 months to fully grow. So that bruise can take a long time to grow out.”
Often, a black toenail can be left to heal, but Emma warns. “If you feel an intense throbbing or pressure, you should see a GP or podiatrist.”
People shouldn’t try to relieve the pressure themselves at home by piercing the nail. This is a technical procedure that should only be carried out by a professional.
Although, some people who play sports are more prone to getting black toenails, there are things that can lessen the risk.
Finally Emma advises, “To prevent further injury, keep your nails short. For walking footballers, a weekly check of your nails, might sound excessive, but can help prevent trauma to toenails.”
*Emma Mitchell (MCFHP/MAFHP) is a Foot Health Professional based in the Bristol area
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