What's happening to my toe/toenail?

Question

Have a look at the photo below. I have been running more lately (5 days a week, instead of the regular 3), but I still have the same (great) shoes so I'm not sure that it's THAT relevant? Basically, you can see the toenail is kind of "rising" and it's incredibly sore, especially when I catch it on clothes/bed sheets. My other toenail (same toe, opposite foot) did the same thing recently and is no longer so swollen, but now has a sort of yellowish tinge to it.

I have started using Loceryl just in case, but I'm not sure that this is the cause? Am I putting too much pressure on my feet by running so much? The doctor was very rude and dismissive. Is there such a thing as a toenail specialist I can see? I do have a long history of ingrown toenails (but only on the big toes!)

Sorry for so many questions in one.

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/15/toenailgi5.jpg

Answer 1

I don't know if there is a toenail specialist, however there are podiatrist, which specialize in the foot.  

It is kind of hard to tell by the picture what exactly this could be.  If you are running a lot chances are you developed a foot fungus of some sort on your toe.  Other possibilities are injury of the nail from running, causing the nail to rise and possibly fall off.  Nail injuries are rather common with people who run frequently, like marathon runners.  Try soaking the toe in cold water to help relieve some of the pressure in the toe, and make an appointment with the podiatrist!