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January 30, 2025
Toenail conditions can cover a wide range of problems, each with its own set of symptoms. Typical causes and risk factors include wearing ill-fitting shoes over long periods, contracting contagious fungi, infections, cutting your toenails incorrectly, having poor circulation and more. Today we’ll talk about the 5 most common toenail conditions and what you can do to address each one. Nailed it!
5 Common Toenail Conditions
Ingrown toenails
Toenail fungus
Cracked/stubbed toenails
Discoloured toenails
Onycholysis
Risk Factors for Common Toenail Problems
Improper nail trimming, such as cutting nails too short or rounding edges.
Wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear that puts pressure on the toes.
Frequent exposure to damp or moist environments - this leads to fungal infections, which can spread and worsen without treatment.
Walking barefoot in communal areas, which increases exposure to fungi and bacteria.
Trauma to the toes, such as stubbing or dropping heavy objects.
Poor foot hygiene, leading to debris buildup and a more favourable environment for bacteria and fungi.
Genetics, including naturally curved nails or a family history of nail issues.
Poor circulation, which disrupts the natural toenail growth process and can lead to an array of toenail deformities and misshapen toenails.
Medical conditions like diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, which impair circulation and healing. It's extremely important to attend regular appointments with a chiropodist or podiatrist if you have diabetes as even deceptively minor issues, like cracked toenails or ingrown toenails, can turn into diabetic ulcers when ignored.
Psoriasis or other skin conditions affecting the nails.
Weak or brittle nails caused by aging, poor nutrition, or overuse of harsh chemicals (too many cosmetic pedicures).
Repetitive pressure on nails from activities like running or wearing high heels.
1. Ingrown Toenails
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Ingrown toenails are one of the most common toenail problems, with some studies suggesting they affect 20% of patients who seek medical care for foot-related issues. They occur when the edges or corners of a toenail grow into the soft skin surrounding it. This leads to inflammation, swelling, and pain. The big toes are particularly prone to this condition due to their size and the pressure they endure during daily activities.
Nails grow from the nail matrix, a layer of tissue beneath the cuticle that produces keratin, the protein that forms the nail. Healthy nails grow straight outward, following the curve of the toe. However, if the nail is cut incorrectly, exposed to excessive pressure and toe crowding in shoes, or grows irregularly due to genetics, its edges can deviate and pierce the surrounding skin.
Once the nail edge enters the skin, the body identifies it as a foreign object. This triggers an inflammatory response, where blood flow to the area increases, causing redness, swelling, and pain. If bacteria enter the wound, infection may develop, leading to pus and further discomfort.
Treatment for ingrown toenails depends on the severity of the condition and the individual’s needs. For mild cases, conservative care such as warm water soaks, antibiotic ointments, and proper nail trimming can help alleviate discomfort and prevent infection. Professional treatments offer more targeted solutions.
OnyFix is a non-invasive option that uses a specialized band applied to the nail, gently guiding its growth to prevent future ingrown edges without the need for surgery. Medical pedicures, performed by a chiropodist or podiatrist, safely address ingrown nails by trimming and reshaping them with sterilized tools while maintaining overall nail health. For severe or recurrent cases, surgical interventions such as partial or total nail avulsion may be necessary to remove the problematic portion of the nail and ensure long-term relief. Consulting a foot care specialist is key to determining the most effective treatment plan.
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2. Toenail Fungus
Fungal toenails occur when fungi infect the nail bed, causing changes in the nail's colour, texture, and thickness. The fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, which makes the toes a prime target, especially in people who wear tight shoes, sweat excessively, or walk barefoot in public areas. Over time, the nail may become discoloured (yellow, brown, or white), thickened, and brittle, and it may even begin to separate from the nail bed.
Fungal infections can be persistent and difficult to treat due to the fact they’re essentially stuck under the nail. This means professional intervention from a chiropodist or podiatrist is necessary. They can apply topical antifungals after performing nail debridement (removing a part of the infection) so they have access to the nail.
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3. Cracked / Stubbed Toenails
Cracked and stubbed toenails often coexist. They occur when the nail becomes brittle and breaks, often due to factors like dehydration, excessive moisture, or external pressure from tight shoes. The nail’s keratin structure weakens, leading to splits or fractures. Stubbed toenails, on the other hand, happen when the toe is forcefully struck, causing immediate pain and potential damage to the nail, which includes cracking.
You can usually let your cracked toenails grow out naturally. If the nail is cracked due to sudden trauma and there is no other culprit at play, this will take about 6 to 8 weeks to start, and sometimes over a year to completely regrow properly. A chiropodist or podiatrist might be able to provide a remedy to encourage faster growth, and suggest the best footwear for your feet to avoid toe crowding and further nail damage.
In the case of complications or a more sinister underlying problem, a foot specialist may partially or fully remove the nail (avulsion) or apply dressing to the area to prevent infection.
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4. Discoloured Toenails
Discoloured toenails are more of a symptom than a problem. When the nail changes colour, it often reflects a problem with the nail, tissue beneath it, or your general health. Fungal infections, for example, commonly cause yellow or brown discoloration, as the fungi damage the nail and its growth. Trauma can also lead to discolouration, often presenting as a dark bruise (purple or black) due to blood pooling under the nail.
Nail Discolouration Causes and Colours:
Yellow: Fungal infections, thickening, aging.
Black: Trauma or bruising beneath the nail, potentially accompanied by blood pooling.
White spots: Trauma, fungus, allergies — generally harmless.
Bluish/Pale: Circulation issues, anemia, or other health conditions.
Treatment is difficult to discern as many factors may be causing discolouration. The best course of action is scheduling a foot assessment or nail care appointment with a chiropodist or podiatrist at a foot clinic.
5. Onycholysis
This is a term for when your nail starts to separate from the nail bed. It often coexists with toenail fungus, psoriasis or trauma/toe injuries. Depending on the cause, you may need a full course of fungal toenail treatment at a foot clinic, or you may need to ask a specialist what’s causing the problem before they curate a treatment plan. As mentioned before, the detached portion of your nail will usually grow back on its own if it's separated because of trauma.
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Prevention Tips for Common Toenail Problems
Trim nails straight across and avoid cutting them too short.
Wear properly fitting footwear that allows adequate toe room.
Maintain good foot hygiene, including regular washing and drying of feet.
Avoid walking barefoot in communal areas to reduce the risk of fungal infections.
Keep feet dry, especially in winter, and use moisture-wicking socks to prevent fungal growth.
Protect toes from trauma by wearing protective footwear in hazardous environments.
Moisturize nails and cuticles regularly to prevent brittleness and cracking.
Avoid harsh chemicals, including acetone-based nail polish removers.
Monitor nails for discoloration, thickening, or unusual texture changes.
Seek professional care from a chiropodist or podiatrist if you suspect you have a fungal infection. You can’t treat these at home.
Seek professional care from a chiropodist or podiatrist if you notice persistent pain, redness, or swelling.
Schedule foot assessments and regular medical pedicures with a chiropodist or podiatrist so they can keep an eye on your feet — four eyes are better than two!
September 5, 2024
Athlete's foot is a fungus that infects the skin on your feet. Many people get it, and it can cause a lot of problems. Your feet may itch, turn red, and peel when you have it. This fungus grows best in places that are warm and damp. The good news is that you can treat and stop athlete's foot if you know what to do. Here are some tips from chiropodists (foot specialists) to help you keep your feet healthy and free from fungus.
Treatment strategies
See a Chiropodist
Because of all the moisture buildup on our feet, fungal infections can grow out of control very quickly; they're stubborn and persistent, and once the infection gets under the toenail, it becomes very difficult to treat. In addition, over-the-counter anti-fungal medications are not very effective unless the infection is in the very early stages. That's why it's important to see a chiropodist as soon as you notice any symptoms. A chiropodist will debride and clean up any fungal growth on the skin and prescribe a topical anti-fungal medication to help nip the athlete's foot in the bud before it spreads to the toenails. Oral anti-fungal medications, while effective, are often not recommended due to their side effects. Often, topical prescription anti-fungal medication and persistence are the best way to go.
Maintain a rigid hygiene routine
Your feet and body will thank you if you keep the infected area clean and dry. Wash your feet daily with soap and water and dry them well between your toes. Fungus grows best in damp places, so ensure your feet are dry before putting on socks and shoes. If you're particularly prone to sweaty feet, you can also try an anti-bacterial foot deodorant like Gehwol's Foot Deodorant spray. This can help prevent Athlete's foot, and even treat it in its very early stages.
Avoid scratching
Scratching the infected spot can cause other bacterial infections. To soothe the itch, try using antifungal creams or powders. If the infection gets worse or spreads, talk to a doctor.
Change socks regularly
Choose cotton or merino wool socks that let your feet breathe and wick away sweat. Wear fresh socks every day and change them after physical activity or when they get wet. This helps reduce moisture build-up, which can worsen the fungal infection.
Prevention Tips
Avoid walking barefoot in public
Athlete's foot, along with other fungal infections, are contagious and spread when skin comes into contact with an infected surface. Therefore, always make sure you are wearing some kind of protective footwear in public spaces - like flip flops or slippers - in locker rooms, communal showers, pool decks and gymnasiums.
Stick to a foot care routine
Clean your feet and dry them well between your toes. Also make sure you cut and clean your toenails often, as fungi can hide under the toenails. Just make sure you don't cut them too short, or you can get an ingrown toenail.
Put on the right shoes
Pick shoes that let air flow through them. Avoid (if possible) wearing the same shoes all day, every day, and ensure they're dry before putting them on. Use flip-flops or water-safe sandals in public spots like pools or gym showers to avoid touching infected surfaces.
Clean Your Shoes
Fungal spores can hang around in shoes, which will feed the infection. To combat this, spray your shoes and socks with antifungal and antibacterial products, such as hypochlorous acid, zinc oxide or zinc incoleate, and dry them out before you put them on again.
You can use Gehwol Foot & Shoe Deodorant Spray in your shoes, or dust Gehwol Foot Powder into your socks. These products contain zinc oxide and zinc ricinoleate, respectively, which are great for maintaining a healthy environment in your shoes. You can find these products at our Toronto foot clinic.
Keep personal items to yourself
Don't let others use your towels, socks, or shoes, and vice versa. Fungal infections are contagious and spread through touching or sharing personal items with people who have a fungal infection.
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.
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.
November 16, 2023
When it comes to self-care and pampering, we often focus on treating ourselves to facials, massages, or spa days while neglecting one of our body's hardest working and overlooked parts: our feet.
Enter the world of medical pedicures, a rejuvenating and therapeutic experience that goes beyond the typical nail salon visit. In this blog post, we look at medical pedicures and uncover the many benefits they offer for the health of your feet.
Whether seeking relief from foot-related ailments or well-deserved self-care, a medical pedicure might be the secret to the happy and healthy feet you've been waiting for.
What's a medical pedicure?
A medical pedicure, also known as a medi-pedi, is a specialized foot treatment performed by a trained medical professional, typically a podiatrist or chiropodist.
Unlike a cosmetic pedicure you might receive at a spa or nail salon, a medical pedicure focuses on the medical aspects of foot care - there is no nail polish or foot soaking. It ususally involves the following:
Examination and consultation. Before the procedure, a chiropodist assesses your feet, discusses any concerns or foot-related issues you may have, and creates a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Nail and callus care. A chiropodist trims and shapes your toenails, carefully avoiding ingrown toenails. They will also remove calluses and corns to relieve discomfort and prevent further complications.
Hygiene. A medical pedicure places a strong emphasis on hygiene. The instruments used are sterilized (or disposable) to prevent the risk of infection.
Skin and cuticle care. Your provider will moisturize and care for the skin on your feet, paying particular attention to dry or cracked areas. They will also address overgrown or problematic cuticles.
Why should I get a medical pedicure?
Only you can decide whether you need a medical pedicure, but we want to lay out the benefits to help you make an informed decision. There are several reasons why you may need one:
Treatment of Specific Foot Conditions
Medical pedicures are not just about pampering but about addressing specific foot conditions. Whether you're dealing with fungal infections, plantar warts, ingrown toenails, or thickened and discoloured nails, your healthcare specialist can offer treatments and recommendations for future care.
Proper Nail Care
While traditional pedicures focus primarily on nail aesthetics, medical pedicures focus on nail health. Sure, they will properly trim and file your toenails, but they'll also go the extra mile in preventing ingrown toenails and addressing any nail conditions like toenail fungus.
Healthy Skin
The skincare aspect of a medical pedicure involves moisturizing and nurturing the skin on your feet. Dry, cracked, or rough skin patches will be taken care of. Plus, we can provide product recommendations to help you maintain healthy, soft feet between appointments.
Education and Guidance
A significant part of a medical pedicure is education. You'll receive valuable guidance on proper foot care practices. In addition, with conditions like recurring calluses or ingrown toenails, the chiropodist can determine whether there could be any biomechanical factors at play. These insights empower you to take better care of your feet daily, reducing the likelihood of future issues.
October 12, 2023
Generally speaking, you don’t have to worry about a black spot on the toenail. Incidents like . In many cases, you can let your toenail heal naturally, but if you have a fungal infection or severe pain, you should schedule an appointment with your chiropodist. Often, incidents like stubbing your toe can cause a black toenail, but they can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition you are already aware you have.
Source: istock
Causes of Black Toenail
If you see a full black toenail or a black spot on your toenail, it is likely for one of the following three reasons:
Trauma (injury)
Natural pigmentation changes
Fungal toenail
In some (rarer) cases, a serious illness like heart disease, diabetes or melanoma can cause a black toenail.
Trauma (Injury)
Sometimes our foot health takes a turn for the worse when we injure ourselves. Dropping a heavy object on your toe or stubbing your toe on a piece of furniture can cause a subungual hematoma, or bleeding and bruising under the nail. This gives it a black appearance and it is usually tender to the touch.
There are certain medical procedures (like drainage and decompression) that treat black toenails caused by injury, but for minor cases, resting and using ice while elevating your injury is sufficient.
Source: istock
Natural Pigmentation Changes
For people with darker skin tones, black patches can sometimes appear underneath the toenails over time. Medical News Today notes that this will usually happen to matching toes on each foot. So if your black spot is happening on corresponding toes, this may be the reason.
Fungal Toenail
Fungal toenail infections usually cause yellow or brown discolouration and thickening of the nail. But when debris builds under the nail bed, it can appear black.
There are topical and oral antifungal medications you can take to treat fungal toenail. In some cases, you can even have your nail removed. But prevention is just as important when it comes to contagious foot conditions. Proper toenail care like keeping your nails (and the rest of your feet) clean can ward off infections, and for extra peace of mind, you can enjoy regular medical pedicures with your chiropodist.
Source: istock. While Fungal Toenail usually looks thick and yellowish brown, there can aslo be black spots caused by debris build up.
