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September 2, 2024
Ingrown toenails can be more than just a foot problem. Quite frankly, they're annoying. They can also lead to significant discomfort and even serious complications if not addressed properly. Many people don’t even fully understand what they are or what “ingrown” really looks like, so recognizing ingrown toenails early is crucial! This will allow for prompt, effective and safe ingrown toenail treatment, which will reduce your risk of infection and help you avoid more invasive procedures.
Recognizing Ingrown Toenails
So, how can you tell if you’re dealing with an ingrown toenail? The first symptoms include pain and tenderness along the side edge of your toenail (the exact location is the called the paronychium, or the soft tissue border around the nail), typically on the big toe. Why the big toe? It is larger and more vulnerable! It withstands the most damaging effects from poor foot care habits (more on that later).
You might also notice swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area. If the condition progresses, pus may develop, indicating an ingrown toenail infection. Catching these signs early is key to avoiding further issues.
Visually, it may look curved or embedded, or simply like a tiny, strange nail growth attached to the main nail. You may also see skin growing over the nail.
Ingrown Toenails Causes
Ingrown toenails result from seemingly innocent routines that over time, damage your foot health.
These include improper nail trimming — cutting nails too short or rounding the edges (many people do this for aesthetics but it's a big no-no!) which encourages the nail to grow into the skin. Tight shoes that squeeze the toes together (your feet may be wider than you think), as well as injuries to the toenail, are also common culprits. In some cases, genetics may play a role: some people's natural nail shape and growth pattern may make them more predisposed to developing ingrown toenails, like involuted or pincer toenails.
Knowing these causes gives you the upper hand in preventing ingrown toenails before they start.
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
Wherever possible, prevention is always better than cure.
By trimming your nails straight across, wearing shoes that fit properly, and keeping your feet clean, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing ingrown toenails and a corresponding infection.
If you’re unsure how to cut your toenails properly, especially if you have conditions like diabetic neuropathy, seeking help from a chiropodist for a medical pedicure can be a smart choice. People with diabetes need to be extra vigilant about foot care, as their condition can make them more susceptible to complications from ingrown toenails. Click here to see how a deceptively minor laceration can turn into an ulcer.
Regularly checking your feet, especially if you’re prone to ingrown toenails, is also an essential part of care.
Treating Ingrown Toenails
For mild cases in the early stages, soaking your foot in warm water for 15 minutes 2 times a day can soften the skin and reduce swelling. After, you can wedge a wet piece of cotton under the corner of the toenail to help lift the ingrown portion while it heals. But beware—safe ingrown toenail treatment at home requires careful handling to avoid making things worse. And whatever you do, do not attempt to cut the toenail or dig the ingrown portion out.
If there's no improvement in 3 days, or if you're experiencing any pain or irritation, seeking professional ingrown toenails treatment from a Toronto chiropodist is a better idea. For safe ingrown toenail treatment, always see a chiropodist - do not go to a salon. If you try to treat your ingrown toenail at home (or at a salon), you can get an infection and make things worse. Plus, when you do ultimately see the chiropodist, the chiropodist will have to cut the toenail even shorter than they normally would in order to fix the DIY job. This lengthens the healing process.
If the pain is severe and you’re waiting for your chiropody appointment, try the following tips for ingrown toenail relief:
Soaking your feet in warm (not hot) water with Epson salts: The salt is a natural disinfectant and will help clean the wound so that it doesn't get infected and become further irritated.
If there are signs of infection (i.e.: bleeding, discharge), wear a band-aid over the ingrown toenail when you're wearing shoes and socks to prevent bacteria from getting stuck in the wound.
Try over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen
These can offer temporary comfort before you can address the root cause and follow proper treatment guidelines.
Safe Ingrown Toenail Removal
Safe ingrown toenail removal with a licensed chiropodist is always the best way to go. Most ingrown toenails do not need to be surgically removed: a chiropodist can typically safely remove it non-surgically with sterilized tools in a sanitized, safe environment. They can also cut the toenail in a way to prevent it from coming back.
In severe cases (like if you attempted to fix your own ingrown toenail and it got infected, or your ingrown toenail keeps coming back), safe ingrown toenail treatment may involve a minor surgical procedure from a chiropodist called a total or partial nail avulsion.
August 22, 2024
When it comes to foot problem prevention, being proactive is key to maintaining healthy feet and avoiding a future of discomfort. Understanding common foot issues and taking steps to prevent them can help reduce the risk of complications down the road.
In this article, we’ll explore five of the most common foot conditions and provide essential foot care tips to help you keep your feet in top shape.
Plantar Fasciitis
One in ten people will experience plantar fasciitis in their lifetime, making it one of the most common foot issues.
Plantar fasciitis at the start, can cause minor discomfort in the arch of the foot or even in the heel. It usually starts when you just get out of bed. It calms down through the day and then the soreness starts at the end of the day.
That discomfort, if not properly treated and investigated, can increase and then start to cause stronger and sharper pain. Sometimes this pain can last through the day to a point where you might find it difficult to walk. The main cause is inflammation- constant pulling and tugging on the thick, inelastic fascia itself (midfoot pain). Or, where it inserts from (the heel pain).
Pressure can be from the arch pressing down on the fascia:
It can also be a tight muscle, like the calf muscle pulling up behind the heel and forcing the fascia to pull away from the heel
It can also be a combination of a tight muscle and pulling of the fascia. In rare occasions plantar fasciitis is caused by a nerve entrapment.
Prevention
Preventing plantar fasciitis is mainly down to figuring out what was the cause in the first place. It might be a biomechanical issue with the feet. It could be due to the shoes that you might be wearing- at home, at work or just around town. In some cases it is due to a muscle imbalance. So figuring out the cause is the first step in treating and then preventing further plantar fascia pain in the future.
One of the cornerstone treatments in preventing plantar fasciitis involves prioritizing arch support! It is a good idea to wear supportive shoes with good arch support and shock absorption, especially if you spend long periods standing or walking. Custom or over-the-counter orthotic inserts can also provide extra arch support and cushioning to distribute pressure more evenly across your feet.
If you have a muscle imbalance then regular, targeted stretching of your calves and feet is also a healthy foot practice that can prevent foot ailments like plantar fasciitis.
Stretching the calves is especially helpful as it reduces strain on the plantar fascia. Check out the best exercises for plantar fasciitis. You can do your exercise routine before bed and when you wake up to prevent this painful condition from affecting your mornings.
Some patients have found rolling a tennis ball/ golf ball under their foot can be helpful to break up the inflammation to the area. Or rolling a wrapped frozen water bottle (no longer than 4 mins, then remove, wait to warm then walk) reduces inflammation build up
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete's foot can affect up to 15% of the global population!
It's a fungal infection that usually occurs on the skin between the toes. However it can also start and spread to the arches and then to the boarder of the foot. It can be itchy, red scaly looking and sometimes crack. Inbetween the toes the skin can look more damp than normal.
Prevention
Athletes foot is prevented if you reduce the causes. It enjoys dark, moist environments with an ample food supply. So your feet can be a perfect place for this to thrive. It can be contagious but also you can be more prone to catching it. So,
-if your feet are kept in a constant moist environment.
- you go to public pools and walk around barefooted.
- if you put your socks on right after having a bath or shower...
All these issues increase the risk of catching Athletes foot and allowing it to spread.
Prevention is linked to good foot hygiene. Therefore, make sure you wear slippers or flip-flops in public areas such as locker rooms or pools, and avoid walking barefoot in these places.
You should also make sure your feet stay clean and dry, as fungus thrives in moist environments. Opt for moisture-wicking socks, foot deodorants and breathable shoes. And never put on your shoes while your feet are damp!
If you are daily in the same shoes then try to use 2 pairs of shoes. Use one one day and one pair another day to allow the shoes to dry out. Change the insoles regularly.
Morton’s Neuroma
Some experts believe that one in three people will experience a Morton’s neuroma at some point.
It is characterized by a thickening of the tissue around the nerves inbetween the balls of toes (typically between the 3rd and 4th balls of the toes), and causes pain and discomfort in the ball of your foot.
You can get neuromas in other parts of the foot, but between the 3rd and 4th ball of the toes is called a Mortons neuroma
Prevention
Prevention is the best treatment for a Mortons Neuroma. Preventing the rubbing and thickening of the nerves is a priority. Unfortunately as the nerve thickens there is a chance that it will not go back to normal.
Preventing a neuroma is simply by wearing wider footwear in the toebox.
You can tell if it is your shoes just by removing the shoes and your soreness should subside.
Remember that work shoes, normal outdoor shoes and even slippers can all have an affect on compressing the toes together.
Having a heeled shoe puts more pressure upon the balls of your foot- so reducing arch height is also helpful (and if you must wear high heels, make sure they're the healthy kind!).
Custom orthotics can provide a way to splay the balls of the foot so even if the neuroma has thickened, it can reduce the pressure the balls of the foot are placing upon the nerves.
Ingrown Toenails
Our toenails can be a bit troublesome sometimes —they crack, curl, get too thick, and sometimes even surprise us with strange colours! But one of the most common toenail conditions is ingrown toenails. Two out of every ten people visiting a healthcare provider for a foot issue end up complaining about this painful nuisance.
Ingrown toenails can occur when a spike of nail is pressing into the skin. It can also happen if you have pincer like nails (involuted) and those nails press into the skin.
If you have wider nails, the skin on the side of your toe can be more prone to go into the nail. If the toes are kept in a damp environment then the skin and nails will be soft and more easily press into one another
Prevention
Prevention comes with finding the cause and preferable no home treatment (in many cases it can make it worse). Apart from scratching your socks, placing a "V" into the nail doesn't do anything.
Poor nail care is usually the main culprit especially cutting down the sides of the nail. It is better to allow the nail to grow past the skin line and then cut to the contour of the nail. Cutting straight across can leave angles and cutting down the sides can leave spikes of nail.
If your nails are curled around or thickened then professional footcare can help thin down the nail and offer treatments for the curved nail. Reducing dampness can reduce ingrown toenails. Wider footwear (and non tight socks) can reduce the risk of compressing the skin into the nail.
In some cases it can be hard to cut your nails effectively, if this is the case then having a medical pedicure from a professional is usually a good preventative option.
Calluses
Almost everyone will get at least a small foot callus in their lifetime and is a common foot issue.
They are thickened areas of skin that develop due to repeated friction or pressure. Initially they can be pain free but as time continues then the callus can build up and adds pressure that that area. This adds more callus and now a cycle starts.
Eventually too much pressure and the skin starts to break down and dry blood can appear within the skin.
Prevention
Callus is best treated by prevention- finding out why the hard skin is there in the first place.
So a footcare professional will look at your feet and assess where the hard skin is and then find the cause- where is that pressure coming from. They will then reduce down the hard skin, to break that pressure cycle, then offer advice on how to prevent the hard skin coming back- or reducing its build up.
In many cases this is due to poor fitting footwear or a mechanical issue with the foot.
Preventing callus build up can be done once a week with a plastic footfile when the foot is dry. Pumice stones are used when the foot is wet.
But it is usually a good idea to check the cause by a footcare professional as sometimes too much file or pumice use can make the area sore, affect the good skin surrounding the callus or even make the area worse as you might go too deep.
Dry skin is prevented where you moisturize your feet regularly (but not inbetween your toes).
It will also help the callus not crack but it won't prevent the callus build up- as that is caused through pressure.
August 15, 2024
Whether they're discoloured, cracked, ingrown, curly, or on the verge of falling off, toenail anatomy can be fragile and our nails can do funny things. A less commonly discussed issue is a secondary toenail. Also known as an accessory toenail or petaloid toenail, a secondary toenail is a sneaky little extra nail twin that grows alongside or beneath the pinky toenail. This abnormal toenail growth can be concerning, so it’s natural to have questions.
Signs You Have a Secondary Toenail
It’s important to know the difference between an ingrown toenail and an accessory toenail.
First, ingrown toenails can grow on any toe, whereas a secondary toenail appears on the fifth, smallest toe.
Ingrown toenails are also far more common, and pierce the skin rather than growing alongside the nail.
Secondary toenails are thin in nature and often don’t cause pain, infection or swelling like ingrown toenails do (although it is possible).
Lastly, ingrown toenails form on the side of the nail unit, whereas secondary toenails grow underneath the proper nail.
What Causes a Secondary Toenail?
A secondary toenail is a rare phenomenon.
It often makes an unexpected appearance after trauma or injury to the nail bed. You may notice your nail growing differently after stubbing or hurting it. Chronic pressure from tight shoes or less-than-perfect nail trimming can also coax this extra nail into existence.
Do You Need Surgery For Secondary Toenails?
Studies show that the treatment of choice for this extra pinky toenail is an excision, especially if it’s infected. A partial or total nail avulsion from Toronto’s Feet First Clinic may be the solution you need, but you’ll have to schedule a proper foot assessment to determine the best course of action.
Treatment of accessory toenails targets the original toenail, not the second one. The second toenail should grow properly after the “main” nail is removed.
August 1, 2024
A toenail falling off can be uncomfortable and cause concern about damage to the toenail. The goal is to preserve the toenail's state to prevent further damage.
Fortunately, if you take a few proactive steps, you can reduce the discomfort and promote healing. Here are our six tips for managing a toenail on the verge of falling off.
1. Keep the toenail area clean and dry
Wash the toenail gently and often. We recommend using mild soap and water to keep it clean. Next, pat dry so as not to snag the toenail with a towel.
2. Cut the nail carefully and slowly
Use clean, sterilized nail clippers to remove any dangling or loose portions of the toenail. Cut straight across without digging into the surrounding skin. The goal here is to prevent further snagging or tearing down the road. Improperly cutting your nail may also increase your risk of an ingrown toenail.
In addition to trimming the toenail straight across, you should trim the toenail slowly. Don't over-cut it. Be patient with toenail growth. (It may take months to a year for a nail to fully grow out.) If in doubt, let our toenail specialists in Toronto trim your toenails for you as part of a medical pedicure.
3. Use a non-stick bandage to protect the area
We recommend applying a bandage or non-sticky wrap to your toe. (Adhesive can attach itself to the toenail and be difficult to peel off without grabbing onto it.) A protective layer keeps an otherwise exposed nail bed safe. Replace the bandage regularly and keep the area dry to promote healing.
4. Antiseptic ointment is your friend
Use an antiseptic ointment or petroleum jelly on the exposed nail bed to keep it moisturized and prevent infection. This may help soothe any discomfort from the loose toenail.
5. Choose comfortable and roomier footwear
You'll want to reduce pressure as much as possible to prevent a loose toenail from falling off. Given that we wear footwear so often, finding shoes with ample fit can help prevent further damage to the toenails.
6. Avoid intense activity
Reduce your activity level if it puts excessive pressure or strain on the affected toenail. For instance, running or high-impact sports like soccer could increase the risk of the toenail getting snagged or torn off. Give your toe some rest, and return to physical activity gradually.
July 11, 2024
There's always the right tool for the job. Using each tool for its intended purpose is best, or you risk doing more damage than good. That's why fingernail clippers and toenail clippers exist.
To understand why, it's important to understand the difference between toenails and fingernails. Toenails are thicker, harder, and grow slower than fingernails because your feet and hands serve different functions. Toenails also have a greater surface area.
In this blog post, we explain why you should avoid using fingernail clippers for your toenails and opt for toenail clippers exclusively.
Reduce the risk of bacterial or fungal contamination
For one, separating your nail tools prevents contamination and possible spread of bacteria and fungus. Given how exposed your hands are every day, you wouldn't want to spread any bacteria to your feet.
When in doubt, clean your clippers with 70%—90% isopropyl alcohol.
Fingernail clippers may not work on toenails
When looking at fingernail vs. toenail clippers, the size difference is stark. Fingernail clippers are smaller, narrower, and curved. Toenail clippers are larger, wider, and straight across, as you should trim your toenails straight across. Cutting them with a curved edge increases your risk of ingrown toenails.
If you want more guidance on choosing the tool for your toenails, read our blog post on our top choices for toenail clippers.
Limit the risk of cracking and damaging your toenails
Using sharp, rigid toenail clippers makes trimming easy and more effective. Using fingernail clippers means you'll need to apply more pressure to cut the nail and risk damaging or even cracking the toenail.
If you don’t have the right tools, enough time, or simply the confidence to focus on a nail trim, try a medical pedicure instead. It includes the right nail trimming procedure and includes moisturization, thorough cleaning, and more. Before the nail trim, a chiropodist also examines your feet for other foot conditions.
Prevent ingrown toenails
You'll also notice the curvature of fingernail vs. toenail clippers. Fingernail clippers are curved and meant to follow the contours of your fingernails. On the other hand, toenails are plateaued and should be cut straight across. Using a curved tool on your toenails puts you at risk of jagged edges, nail splitting, or could be a root cause of ingrown toenails.
If you wish, use a nail file to round the edges. This tool is necessary for properly smoothing the edges of the nails. After the trimming, there will likely be some jagged edges, sharp corners, and “spikes.”
June 20, 2024
At first glance, our toenails look like a single nail, and that's about it. However, beneath the surface is a more complex structure that makes up the nail and the bed below it. This is our toenail anatomy.
Toenails and fingernails are made of Keratin. Keratin is a type of protein that gives the nail strength and protection. (There are many types of Keratin. It also comprises hair and your epidermis.) Toenails differ from fingernails in a few ways, namely their thickness and growth rate, as the external forces on your toenails are greater than those on your hands.
Today, we explore toenail anatomy and how each component affects foot health.
Layers of the toenail
Nail plate
The nail plate is the easiest part of the toenail anatomy to recognize. It's the nail itself. The colour and texture of the nail plate can vary based on factors like health, genetics, and lifestyle habits.
Nail bed
Next, we go a bit deeper. The nail bed is beneath the nail plate. Just like sheets and blankets are the nail plate, imagine the nail bed is the mattress or bed frame below. The nail bed is a layer of skin that nourishes the nail as it contains blood vessels and nerves. It is also the growth engine behind the nail plate.
If you damage the nail bed, you'll notice nail plate abnormalities or reduced growth rates. Sometimes, a damaged nail bed will cause you to lose a toenail or experience a discoloured toenail. A subungual hematoma occurs within the nail bed and can cause a black toenail.
Lunula
The lunula, or "half-moon," is the pale, crescent-shaped area visible at the base of the nail. It represents the edge of the nail matrix, where new nail cells are generated. Eventually, nail growth from the lunula extends out to the outer edges of the nail, at which point you'd trim them.
Nail matrix
The nail matrix is the tissue beneath the cuticle at the base of the nail. It produces new nail cells, pushing older cells forward and resulting in nail growth. Damage to the nail matrix can affect the quality and growth rate of the toenail. Each nail matrix produces 196 layers of cells that combine to make your toenails.
