Loss of feeling in a couple of toes...

I started doing ballroom dancing in February, and have been doing a bootcamp since last July, but have been running on the treadmill more frequently in the last couple of months. Recently, I have noticed a loss of feeling in the two toes next to my large toe on BOTH feet. So it’s a total of four toes with feeling loss. It seems like it would be counter-intuitive to think that exercise would be causing this, but that’s what it seems to be. anyone have any suggestions?

I have a similar situation; mine was caused by being on my feet for 13 hours. There was a lot of pressure and inflamation on that particular point so I went to the doctor and was told that I had severed my nerve to that toe. I also experienced numbness when I broke my little toes. Have you tried anti-inflamitaries and rest? Make sure that your shoes are still up to the job because that could also be contributing to pressure around this area. Nerves take a while to grow back – about 1mm a day I think. If in doubt go and get yourself checked out.

How old are your shoes? Modern athletic shoes are only designed to be worn for about 6 months of moderate to heavy use before the cushioning gives out. You should also be wearing the appropriate type of shoes for your activity, since they are designed for foot pressure in certain areas (runners put pressure on different parts of their feet than basketball players, for example).

Also check the fit of your ballroom dance shoes. Are they too tight, or do they press on your toes?

After ruling out your footwear, go see a doctor for signs of nerve damage.

I agree with the footwear. I go through workout shoes like crazy, if I don’t shin splints and foot issues.

Also just to make sure, you don’t have diabetes do you? That can cause nerve pain and numbness.

Rest, take anti-inflammatories, go to your doctor. I am almost certain that this is your back. It is probably a pressure on a nerve in your lower back. So don’t lift heavy things, don’t bend or twist your back more than you need to, until you get a diagnosis. This could go south pretty fast if you are unlucky. Stand or lie down, minimize sitting. And take those anti-inflammatories!
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This may be caused by weak core muscles.
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Don’t wait on this one.
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PS. The reason why I think it is your back, is that it is both feet, same number of toes. Same toes on both feet?

I had this same problem when I first started running. I was naive and bought shoes that were much too small for me. They were fine when I was just walking around but for running your shoes are actually supposed to be up to a size bigger than you usually wear. i would highly recommend buying actual running shoes from a specialty running store, where you can try on many different pairs and find the right shoes for your feet. Also the people there are experienced runners, not just salespeople, so they will know how to help you best. If your shoes are too small when you run, with every step you take your toes get mashed up against the front of your shoe and can cause this numb feeling. I know exactly how you are feeling, and believe me, getting new shoes will help!!