Toenail
problems
Toenail
problems tend to be more common with advancing age.
Problems include ingrown toenail, fungal infection and
nail deformities. Professional care from your podiatrist
can improve the health of your toenails.
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Toenail
problems can affect people of all ages, but tend to be
more common with advancing age. Causes of nail problems
include trauma, ill-fitting shoes, poor circulation and
infection. Problems with toenails can be successfully
treated by a podiatrist.
Ingrown
toenail
The
most common problem treated by podiatrists is ingrown
toenail. The big toe is particularly prone to this
painful condition. Incorrect trimming technique, trauma
(such as stubbing your toe), nails that naturally curve
too sharply, or wearing tight shoes can cause an ingrown
toenail. Treatment from a podiatrist depends on the
severity of the injury, but may include removing the
ingrown nail section using a local anaesthetic.
Suggestions on how to prevent an ingrown toenail include
trimming nails straight across rather than rounding off
the edges, and wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes
that don’t press on the toes.
Fungal
infections
Symptoms
of a nail with fungal infection include discolouration
and thickening of the nail, and the separation of the
nail from the nail bed. There may be a white, cheesy
discharge. Without treatment, the nail bed itself can
become infected. Treatment options include anti-fungal
preparations and professional trimming, shaping and care
of the nail by your podiatrist.
Inflammation
of the skin alongside the nail
The
skin lying alongside the nail can become infected with
bacteria, typically Staphylococcus
aureus. This infection is called paronychia. The
symptoms include pain, redness and swelling around the
cuticle, and perhaps a discharge of yellow or green pus.
Acute cases can be treated with antibiotics. However,
chronic paronychia is harder to treat. The nail distorts
and discolours and the skin may lift at the site of
infection. Sometimes, the inflammation spreads from one
nail to another. A range of micro-organisms working
together are
responsible for chronic paronychia. Treatment includes
keeping the feet as dry as possible, barrier creams,
antiseptic lotions and anti-fungal preparations.
Deformed
or brittle nails
A
violent toe-stubbing, dropping a heavy object on the toe
or some other trauma can injure the nail bed and cause
the nail to grow in deformed ways. The nail may be
thickened or ridged. Brittle nails are common in elderly
people because of the tendency to poor circulation.
Deformed or brittle nails can benefit from professional
attention. Trimming, shaping and nail care from your
podiatrist can improve the health of your nails.
Where
to get help
Things
to remember
-
Common toenail problems include ingrown toenail,
fungal infections, inflammation of the skin alongside
the nail, and nail deformities.
-
Toenail problems tend to be more common with
advancing age.
-
Professional
care from your podiatrist can improve the health of your
nails.
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