Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail—also referred to as onychocryptosis—is a common problem that occurs when the edges or corners of the nail grow into the skin next to the nail. When this happens, the edge of the nail breaks through the skin, which causes inflammation. This inflammation initially presents itself as a minor discomfort, but it could potentially become a recurring problem or become infected
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
This condition is quite common—especially in athletes—and it is mostly found in the big toe. Anyone can get an ingrown toenail, and they are common for both men and women. The most common causes of an ingrown toenail include- Poor hygiene
- Irregular, curved nails
- Poor-fitting footwear
- Trauma
- Poor posture
- Cutting toenails incorrectly
Diagnosis and Treatment of Ingrown Toenails
Your doctor can diagnose your toe with a physical exam. He or she may also perform an x-ray if the ingrown toenail was caused by an injury, or to show how deep the nail is. If you have an ingrown toenail that is not infected, it can probably be treated at home with various home remedies. Some of these include:
- Soaking feet
- Pushing skin away from the toenail edge
- Using OTC medications
- Applying topical ointments to prevent infection
If your ingrown toenail has progressed and become infected, your podiatrist may recommend surgery. Surgery involves removing either all or half of the toenail in an effort to stop the infection altogether. Contact us today for more information about ingrown toenail treatment today.
Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus—also called onychomycosis or tinea unguium—is an infection below the surface of the nail caused by contact with different types of fungi. Nail fungus usually begins with white or yellow spots under the tip of the toenails. If left untreated, the infection can grow deeper, which can cause the nail to become weak or brittle to the point that it eventually falls off.
Types of Common Fungal Nail Infections
In general, there are four types of fungal infections that affect the toes. These include:- Distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO): This is the most commonly diagnosed and treated fungal infection. Also known as Athlete’s Foot, this infection spreads across the nail bed, which causes the nail to become discolored and weak.
- White superficial onychomycosis (WSO): Far less common than Athlete’s Foot, WSO causes white patches to appear across the entire nail. Candida onychomycosis: This chronic fungus is usually caused by trauma, and it causes the toenails to become bulbous or enlarged.
- Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO): This fungal infection causes yellow or white spots to appear near the base of the toenail.
Signs & Symptoms of Toenail Fungus
Because there are varying types and levels of severity for toenail fungus, it’s important to have your condition diagnosed by a podiatric physician. If you are worried that you might be suffering from a fungal infection in your nails, perform a self-evaluation to look for the following common symptoms:- Scaling under the nail
- Distorted nail
- White or yellow streaks on the nail
- Foul odor from the infected nail
- Crumbling corner or tip of nail
- Flaking white areas on the toenail’s surface
- Loss of the nail