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Posts for tag: infected toe

Ouch! My ingrown toenails are so painful I can barely put a sock or shoe on!  What should I do?

Let us help! This is such a common question, and we get asked all the time the best way to handle Ingrown Toenails. 

Ingrown Toenails can be extremely painful and are often caused by cutting our toenails incorrectly. There are a few people who inherited really bad toenails, but the rest are self-inflicted. Then we shove our foot into shoes that are too narrow or tight and we make them even worse!

Help is on the way! There are some simple steps you can follow to avoid ingrown toenails. First, cut your toenails straight across the top, not rounded. Second, avoid tight shoes and socks. Yes, the socks can do it! Third, and most important, stop picking at your toenails! Fourth, (and yes it sounds like common sense, but you would be surprised) please clean your toenail clippers with alcohol before you cut your nails. Self-inflicted infections are common.

If you are like  many of the poor souls who are seeking help, it is time to come to our office so we can take a look. Often, a round of antibiotics and a minor procedure in the office are all that is needed to alleviate your pain. Sometimes, a more advanced procedure, called a matrixectomy, is needed to remove a deformed toenail permanently. 

Do not perform bathroom surgery on your ingrown toenails! This can lead to a significant infection and even toe loss in the immunocompromised population with diabetes or vascular disease.

Contact Us for immediate help and we can help you get rid your toe pain!

Perhaps not the most glamorous injury, but ingrown toenails are easily one of the more common and painful foot problems around. In fact, in a recent survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association, they were listed in the top three with heel pain and blisters as the other most common complaints.

Also known as Onychocryptosis, there are a variety of ways an athlete could suffer from the problem. Excessive pressure on the outside of the great toe, stubbing or having a toe stepped on, tight socks and shoes, even improper trimming of your nails can cause ingrown toenails. Don't forget the dreaded toenail fungus (Onychomycosis) which can cause an abnormally shaped nail that tends to get ingrown.

The pain isn't easy to deal with, as most athletes are usually always on their feet! With running and most other sports being a dynamic in nature, training and racing with an ingrown toenail can be incredibly painful. Soreness and sensitivity along the margins of the toenails may lead to infection (watery discharge, blood, pus). If infected, immediately visit a podiatrist.

If uninfected, treat the feet by soaking them in either salt or warm soapy water. Drying them thoroughly, applying a mild antiseptic solution, and bandaging the toe will make a difference.

However, if the athlete takes proper care of their feet, ingrown toenails can be certainly prevented. Make sure your shoes are long and wide enough. Don't forget that socks come in sizes as well. Cut your nails straight across. Keep your toenail clipper clean. Don't pick at them or try to perform bathroom surgery! And treat fungus as soon as it shows it's ugly head!  Ca   ffd     djfdf           sdc