Toenail problems are actually quite common and treatments are available. If you notice any abnormality in your toenails such that you experience signs of infection, such as redness, severe pain, or drainage of pus, please contact Peninsula Podiatry for an evaluation. Your toenails can reveal a lot about your overall health and can provide the first sign of systemic disease.
The most common toenail problems include
Toenail fungus is a common condition that can affect anyone of any age. Fungal infections can grow in toenails because they thrive in warm, moist environments.
You may have toenail fungus if one or more of your toenails become
Yes, toenail fungus can spread to other toenails and even spread to the surrounding skin.
Toenail fungus can be caused by
Toenail fungus can be difficult to treat and may take several months before fungal nail infection goes away. Treatment options may include prescription creams or ointments, oral medications, removal of the toenail to treat the nail bed underneath, or laser therapy. Laser nail therapy with our podiatrists 980 nm Diode Laser System is the most effective in treating toenail fungus and promoting clear nail growth. If you are interested in laser nail therapy to treat toenail fungus, call (360) 245-2248 to schedule an appointment today.
There are several things you can do to prevent toenail fungus including
Patients with diabetes should properly manage their blood sugar levels, as they are at high risk for toenail fungus.
When a toenail is ingrown, it is curved and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe.
If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odor. However, even if the toes aren’t painful, red, swollen, or warm, a nail that curves downward into the skin can progress into an infection.
Causes of ingrown toenails include:
You should see a podiatrist for ingrown toenails if your symptoms fail to improve, if you suspect you have an infection, or if you have a medical condition that puts your feet at high risks, such as diabetes, nerve damage in the foot, or poor circulation.
If you have ingrown toenails, our podiatrists will examine the toe and select the treatment best suited for you. If an infection is present, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed.
Sometimes a minor surgical procedure, often performed in the office, will ease the pain and remove the offending nail. After applying a local anesthetic, our podiatrists will remove part of the nail’s side border. Some nails may become ingrown again, requiring removal of the nail root.
Following the nail procedure, a light bandage will be applied. Most people experience very little pain after surgery and may resume normal activity the next day. If you were prescribed an oral antibiotic, be sure to take all the medication, even if your symptoms have improved.
Many cases of ingrown toenails may be prevented by:
Trauma to your toenail usually results from some form of injury such as stubbing your toes, dropping something heavy onto your foot, wearing ill-fitting shoes, and picking at your nails. Other traumatic injuries to the toenail may be the result of a poorly done pedicure, or from activities such as running or ballet dancing.
Any major trauma to the toenail is going to cause some form of pain or throbbing, and perhaps some bleeding or a collection of blood under the toenail.
Other symptoms may include
Some injuries to the toe may even cause a completely or partially separated nail from the nail bed or injury to the underlying bone.
Typically, the treatment for toenail trauma depends on the type of injury but may include surgery and medication.
Clubbed toenails refer to changes under and around the toenails that cause the toes to take on a widened, club-like appearance.
Clubbed toenails are often the result of some underlying medical condition, such as heart disease, lung disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and cancer. For some people, it is an inherited trait.
Symptoms of clubbed nails may include a
Treatment for clubbed nails requires treating the underlying medical condition.
There are many causes for thick toenails other than toenail fungus. Thick toenails may also be due to psoriasis or type 1 or 2 diabetes. Sudden or repeated trauma or injury to the toenails due to sports activities (e.g., running, dancing, etc.) can also cause toenails to thicken, as well as ill-fitting shoes.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes red, scaly patches on the skin, but it can also cause nail thickness for both the hands and feet. If psoriasis is the cause of your nail thickness, you are likely to develop ridges on the nails, and the nails may loosen and separate from the nail bed.
Additionally, aging can cause your toenails to thicken.
Over time as the toenails get thicker, you might start experiencing some symptoms, such as
As for the appearance, the nails may take on a yellow, green, or brown hue and start looking gnarly or have some scaling on the surface.
If thick toenails are left untreated, they can get worse or cause pain. It is, therefore, important to seek medical advice when you notice any discoloration of the nails or thickening. There may be some underlying medical conditions causing these issues that need to be addressed.
The treatment for thick toenails usually depends on what is causing the problem. Your doctor will want to look at your medical history and examine your nails to determine the appropriate treatment.
For example, if nail thickening is due to psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe additional medication or recommend topical steroids or injections to help the nails heal.
If you are experiencing any issues with your toenails that appear worrisome to you, don’t hesitate to contact Peninsula Podiatry for an evaluation. Give us a call at (360) 245-2248 to schedule an appointment.
