Causes of Curled Toenails - Feet First Clinic (2024)

May 29, 2023

Ingrown toenails arethe most common nail problem. And with toenails being put under pressure when running, combining the two can be challenging, but not totally out of the question.Although running with ingrown toenails can be uncomfortable and increase the risk of infection, it is doable. There are steps you can take to manage the discomfort and reduce the risk of complications.This article discusses tips on managing the pain associated with running with an ingrown toenail and ways to prevent infection. Don't let an ingrown toenail stop you from your running routine; read on to learn more!Can I run with an ingrown toenail?Yes. If the ingrown toenail is mild, and you take the proper precautions, you can safely run. The key is to manage discomfort and do your best to reduce the risk of complications or infection. However, there is a difference between whether you can run versus should run, and you should weigh the pros and cons outlined below.First, it's important to note that running with an ingrown toenail can worsen the condition and increase the risk of complications. If the pain is severe or you experience signs of infection, like redness, swelling, or discharge, seek medical attention immediately.If the ingrown toenails worsen, see a chiropodist or other healthcare professional. They may recommend antibiotics, specialized treatment or surgery to remove part of the affected nail.How to manage discomfort when running with an ingrown toenailTo enjoy running with ingrown toenails, you must take steps to control the discomfort, reduce the risk of complications and keep the pain at bay. Here are some tips: Monitor pain and symptoms: There's no denying that physical activity can aggravate ingrown toenails. Sports with ground forces due to athletic activity, obesity or constricting footwear aid overlapping lateral nail fold penetration. Trim the toenail properly: If the ingrown toenail is mild, you can trim it yourself. Use a clean pair of nail clippers and cut the nail straight across without rounding the edges. Cutting straight across prevents the nail from growing into the adjacent skin. If your ingrown toenail is more persistent, inflamed or painful, you should see a chiropodist for treatment to prevent any risks and complications. Trim the toenail using toenail clippers: Avoid using fingernail clippers for your toenails. The strength and thickness of our toenails demand a more rigid tool to trim effectively. Wear proper shoes: Wear shoes that fit correctly and provide enough room for your toes to move freely. Tight or narrow shoes can crowd the toes and increase the risk of ingrown toenails. Take pain medication:Pain relievers can help to manage the discomfort associated with ingrown toenails. See a chiropodist for professional treatment: If your ingrown toenail is painful, inflamed, or has persisted for a long time, you should book an appointment with a chiropodist to have it properly and safely treated. This will reduce the risk of infection and allow you to resume running pain-free.How to avoid infection when running with an ingrown toenail?To prevent your ingrown toenail from worsening while running, taking the proper measures to avoid infection is vital. You can take steps to manage the discomfort and reduce the risk of complications when running with ingrown toenails. Here are some tips: Keep the affected toenail clean:Wash the affected toe with soap and water daily, and keep it dry. A clean and dry site will help to prevent the spread of bacteria and reduce the risk of infection. Apply topical treatments: You can use over-the-counter antiseptic or antibiotic ointments to the affected area to help prevent infection. Use clean toenail clippers (and maybe one from our top picks): Don't use someone else's nail clippers; clean them off before use. Bacteria are invisible to the eye, so be safe with what you put your feet in contact with. For instance, you wouldn't want to risk catching the fungus that causes athlete's foot. Apply a bandage over the ingrown toenail:Once you've cleaned the affected toenail, apply a bandage over the toenail before starting your run. This will help prevent any outside bacteria from penetrating the nail and surrounding skin.

May 15, 2023

Ingrown toenails can look harmless but can be pretty painful. What starts as abnormal nail growth can quickly turn into a full-blown ingrown toenail. When the nail edge grows into the surrounding skin, you'll experience pain, swelling, and redness.If left untreated, ingrown toenails can worsen and possibly lead to infection. We're here to help prevent that from happening. In this guide, you'll learn more about how to prevent and treat ingrown toenails.How to prevent ingrown toenailsPrevention of ingrown toenails goes hand-in-hand with proper foot and toenail hygiene. Healthy nails are not just for show; they're a critical part of our feet.Trim your toenails straight across.The safest and most effective method to prevent ingrown toenails is to cut your toenails carefully. We recommend cutting your toenails straight across and avoiding clipping the corners to round them off. Use a high-quality toenail clipper, one sturdy enough to handle the toughness of toenails (rather than using tools meant for fingernails).Avoid cutting them too short, as the surrounding skin may grow over the nail. If you're ever in doubt about a proper toenail routine or how to cut your nails, book a medical pedicure so a foot specialist can eliminate the risk.Keep toenails at a moderate length.Trim toenails so they're in line withthe tips of your toesas if you were to draw a straight line. Toenails cut too short may adversely affect the nail when you wear shoes. Pay close attention to any loose or jagged edges and those that can get caught and damage your nail.Wear suitable footwearWear shoes that fit correctly and do not squeeze your toes together. Avoid shoes with a narrow-toe box. Tight shoes can force your toes together, putting your nail at risk of digging into the surrounding skin.Practice good foot hygiene.Foot hygiene involves a multi-faceted routine. Keep your feet clean and dry when possible. Regularly check your feet for any abnormalities or irregularities. And finally, bookannual foot check-ups. Regular foot assessments are beneficial if you have diabetes or any other condition where you may be more vulnerable to foot issues.How to treat ingrown toenailsTreatment of ingrown toenails typically comprises at-home treatment and professional treatment. There is more to risk by trying to treat ingrown toenails entirely by yourself, but at-home methods can help relieve pain and preserve the nail while waiting for an appointment at a foot clinic.Generally, we do not recommend cutting the toenail yourself, as it may exacerbate the issue. Instead, try the following:At-home treatment of ingrown toenails Soak your feet in Epsom salt water to help soothe pain and discomfort. After soaking, gently massage the area around the ingrown toenail to help relieve pain and pressure. Routinely clean the area of pus and blood, if needed. Apply sparing amounts of Polysporin ointment and cover with a bandage when going out. Wear shoes with a broader toe to accommodate added space in your footwear, thus reducing the pressure on the toes. Avoid or reduce physical activity if such activity impacts your feet and toes. Take pain relief medication as needed or as your doctor recommends to help control pain and discomfort. Apply an antiseptic, such as hydrogen peroxide, to the affected area to prevent infection.Professional treatment of ingrown toenailsNext, a professional can effectively treat ingrown toenails by doing the following: Proper toenail care and trimming: A chiropodist can properly trim and cut your toenails in a way that promotes proper nail growth. Proper nail trims both treat existing ingrown toenails and can prevent them from occurring in the future. Softening the skin, lifting the edge of the nail from the skin, and then propping the corner of the nail up over the skin edge until the skin heals. Oral and topical antibiotics to prevent or heal the infection. Safely lancing and draining pockets of pus (the toe is numbed first with a local anesthetic). Applying a specially formulated composite material called Onyfix. It serves as a corrective brace for the nail's growth and can be used to treat recurrent ingrown toenails. In more severe cases, surgery may be performed. This can can involve removing a narrow strip down the length of the toenail (partial nail avulsion (PNA), or removing the entire toenail (total nail avulsion (TNA). These procedures may be performed if more conservative, non-surgical treatments don't work. Phenol can be applied to the nail's root beneath the cuticle to prevent regrowth. The method inhibits nail growth following PNA or TNA.All treatments from a chiropodist use medical-grade products and a fresh set of sterilized instruments for each client. The sterilization process used by chiropodists will remove and kill all microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and spores. We also thoroughly cleanse your feet with an alcohol solution at the beginning of every appointment.

May 1, 2023

Medical pedicures can significantly enhance and supplement your overall foot care routine.Think of a medical pedicure as a way to relax while having your feet inspected and relieved of pain. By working with a licensed chiropodistor foot care professional, you can ensure your feet receive the care they need to stay healthy and pain-free.Medical pedicures perform double duty in that they're a blend of foot care and nail care, combined with the foot care benefits provided by chiropodists.This article covers how a medical pedicure can benefit you and your feet.1. Improved foot healthFirst and foremost, a medical pedicure can serve as both a treatmentand a preventative method for common foot problems. During a medical pedicure, any number of the following can be prevented or treated: Diabetes-related foot complications Calluses Corns Blisters Cracked Heels Ingrown toenails Athlete's foot Fungal Toenails Discoloured Toenails Cracked toenailsWe recommend routine medical pedicures for patients prone to foot issues or those withdiabetes.2. Reduced risk of infectionsA medical pedicure can also help prevent you from developing infections in several ways. First, medical pedicures use sterile instruments and follow strict hygiene to reduce the risk of infections. Suppose you have any conditions or auto-immune diseases that increase your health risks. A medical pedicure performed by a chiropodist would be safe for you.The second is that leaving certain foot care routines to a foot specialist - like toenail clipping, corn removal, blister care, or callus debridement - takes the unknown out of the equation. Sometimes, leaving treatment to a professional outweighs the risk of doing it yourself at home (and risking mishaps).3. Pain reliefA medical pedicure can relieve pain for people with foot problems, such as corns, calluses or ingrown toenails. A foot care professional can safely treat these conditions, reducing pain and discomfort. Corns and calluses can have some side effects, including altering your gait and could lead to other foot conditions if you're not careful, so it's a good idea not to let these conditions linger.4. An up-close look at your feetA chiropodist takes a complete medical history for any underlying conditions or concerns you have. Additionally, they thoroughly examine your feet to diagnose unknown issues or conditions that may worsen. A complete picture of the health of your feet is reassuring for your feet's future, and you'll be provided with foot care advice and a treatment plan to keep your feet healthy going forward.5. Relax and moisturize your feetBeyond preventative and treatable measures, a medical pedicure can be a relaxing experience. In addition to tending to your skin and toenails, chiropodists apply an intense moisturization treatment with high-quality medical strength moisturizing products leaving your feet soft and smooth, stronger, and more elastic. Moisturizing isn't just about soft feet; it strengthens your skin's protective barrier and makes your feet less susceptible to future issues.

April 3, 2023

Are your feet giving you a hard time? Foot pain can have many causes, including injury, overuse, medical conditions, and poor footwear. The underlying cause will dictate how to treat your foot pain, which can include anything from supportive footwear, to stretching exercises, to rest, to medication.In this article, we'll go through six common causes of foot pain and how to treat them: Plantar Fasciitis Achilles Tendonitis Bunions Ingrown Toenails OsteoarthritisPlantar fasciitisCausesPlantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia (the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes) becomes inflamed. It is caused by inadequate arch support or overexerting the plantar fascia. For instance, poorly constructed shoes, obesity and pregnancy, high-impact activity, and long periods of standing (like if you have a standing desk or work in a standing-first occupation) cause strain on the plantar fascia.TreatmentPlantar fasciitis treatment involves rest and recovery, which should be the first course of action. Then physical therapy, like massaging your arch and stretching and strengthening exercises, are effective. Additional treatment methods include shockwave therapy, taping, wearing a splint or boot cast, and custom orthotics designed to provide additional arch support.Read more:See our complete guide on plantar fasciitis.Achilles tendonitisCausesAchilles tendonitis is an injury to the Achilles tendon, the part of the leg that connects the calf to the heel bone. It is usually caused by overuse. Overworking the Achilles heel is done through various avenues. The most common causes include overexercising, weight gain, joint disorders like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, bursitis, a sudden fall or past trauma, and biomechanical abnormalities.TreatmentWithin 72 hours of injury, the first form of treatment you should pursue is rest and recovery. Good R&R prevents aggravation and stops the condition from worsening at its most vulnerable. Once you remove the cause, effective treatment methods include shockwave therapy, strengthening and stretching exercises (see our how-to), custom orthotics, and anti-inflammatories.Read more:See our complete guide on Achilles tendonitis.BunionsCausesBunions are a type of joint deformity where the base of the big toe shifts outwards. There is a combination of factors that can either cause, directly or indirectly, bunions. Genetics (namely foot shape or joint-related), tight footwear or high heels, flat arches, and activities that stress the toe base (like running or ballet) can lead to bunions.TreatmentTreatment options include footwear modification, anti-inflammatories,bunion splints, bunion aligners, taping, shoe stretching, orthotics, shockwave therapy, and surgery. Note that bunions are progressive, meaning non-invasive treatment focuses on preservation rather than reversing damage already done. Surgery is an option if you'd like to remove the bunion.Read more:See our complete guide on bunions.Ingrown toenailsCausesIngrown toenails occur when the edges of the toenail grow into the skin, causing pain and swelling. Ingrown toenails can be caused by: Cutting the nail too short or too far down along the edges Poorly fitted shoes. Injury to the nail bed. A genetic disposition to ingrown toenails.TreatmentIn some cases, you can treat ingrown toenails at home; otherwise a foot specialist can treat the condition. To treat your ingrown toenail at home, soak your foot daily in warm water with Epson salts, massage the skin at the edges of the nail, wear shoes with a wide toe box, and let the toenail grow out. When it does, cut the nail straight across. Never try to cut out your own ingrown toenail as this can lead to infection.If the toenail doesn't improve within 3–5 days, it's time to call the foot specialist. A foot specialist can safely treat ingrown toenailsat any stage.In-office ingrown toenail treatmentincludes antibiotics, softening the skin around the nail, removing or cutting open the area to drain pus, Onyfix nail correction system,partial or complete nail avulsion, phenol, or surgery.Read more:See our complete guide on ingrown toenails.OsteoarthritisCausesOsteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is caused by wear-and-tear of thecartilage between the joints. Getting old is the most common cause of osteoarthritis. Our joints get more mileage as we age and eventually wear down. Low bone density (for instance, in post-menopausal women) can also lead to osteoporosis, contributing to osteoarthritis (it would be like having defective brake pads). Additionally, unhealed trauma or injury, weakened deconditioned muscles, sudden weight gain, and biomechanical abnormalities like hammer toes or bunions can all lead to osteoarthritis.TreatmentTreatment of osteoarthritis focuses on management, as it's a progressive condition. Physiotherapy, stretching, and light exercise to strengthen the muscles in the lower body is vital for managing osteoarthritis symptoms and preventing the condition from worsening. This can be done in conjunction with proper footwear and medication like anti-inflammatories. Custom orthotics can also help by effectively rebalance the weight distribution across your feet while adding support.Read more:See our complete guide on osteoarthritis.

February 27, 2023

Poor foot health can significantly impact a person's everyday life. It can not only be painful and uncomfortable, but it could also be costly, lead to skin and fungal infections or foot conditions, and be generally unpleasant.Poor foot health can mean several things, including: A lack of foot hygiene. Ignoring aches and pains. Wearing unsuitable shoes (whether it's the type or sizing). Skipping regular checkups.Any individualor combination of habits can contribute to poor foot health. The absence of proper foot health may lead to minor conditions that could manifest into more severe foot conditions.In this article, get the inside scoop on how poor foot health can contribute to the following issues: Pain and Discomfort Foot and Skin Infections Limitations in Footwear Choices Added Costs Reduced Mobility Affects on Physical appearance/aestheticsWe'll also give you our top tips for how to prevent these issues and keep your feet in tip-top shape.1. Pain and discomfortFirst and foremost, poor foot health can be painful and cause discomfort. Pain is a symptom of poor foot health that cannot be ignored. Walking, running, or physical activity can become arduous and uncomfortable. The source of the pain may be any number of skin or musculoskeletal foot conditions.Poor foot health can lead to painful skin conditions, including blisters, calluses, ingrown toenails, and cracked heels. Skin conditions are generally quicker to develop and may be more manageable. Additionally, poor foot health can lead to short- and long-term musculoskeletal foot conditions, including bunions, hallux rigidus, osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, gout, and more. Both skin and musculoskeletal foot conditions can be painful and uncomfortable.Pain and discomfort from poor foot health not only affects the feet. After all, the feet are our body's foundation. If you have poor foot mechanics, you may begin to compensate in other parts of your body. For instance, poor foot mechanics can misalign your pelvis, causing lower back pain.2. Foot and skin infectionsPoor hygiene and neglect to clean and care for your feet can lead to infections such as athlete's foot, which can be painful and spread to other body parts. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that targets the skin on the feet, especially between the toes. Fungi called dermatophytes, which thrive in warm and moist environments, such as inside shoes or public showers, cause the condition.Proper foot health to help prevent foot infections includes keeping the feet dry, avoiding being barefoot in public places, and not sharing linens or shoes with others.3. Limitations in footwear choicesPoor foot health can cause deformities and inconsistencies in your feet. Irregular foot shapes can make it more challenging to wear standard footwear for work, at home, or for exercise.Foot conditions like corns, calluses, and bunions can cause outgrowths.Outgrowths, whether bony or skin, may change the shape and size of your feet. This limits the types of shoes a person can wear, reducing their options for comfortable and stylish footwear.4. Added costsYou may find that you're spendingmoremoney due to doingless. That's right. Inaction in the form of poor foot health or hygiene can be costly in the long run. You may need new footwear, require physiotherapy, or find you spend more on medication. The best treatment is prevention.In more severe cases, you may require surgery, forcing you to take time off work and being unable to drive during your recovery period. For bunion surgery, for instance, it's recommended not to drive for6-8 weeksif you have surgery on your right foot.5. Reduced mobilityPoor foot health can impact a person's mobility in a restrictive way. The onset of various foot conditions can make standing, walking, running, or engaging in physical activity more difficult. Reduced mobility can also lead to a cycle of inactivity. A lack of physical activity can further exacerbate foot conditions like gout as joints and muscles seize up over time.6. Affects on Physical Appearance/AestheticsPoor foot health can be a sight for sore eyes. Many foot conditions and injuries are visible, which can make you may feel less comfortable barefoot, especially in public. For instance, fungal infections and thick and discoloured toenails may be visually unappealing. You may notice decreased confidence or greater self-consciousness if you experience poor foot health.How to prevent poor foot health: 10 tipsNow that you know that poor foot care can impact your quality of life, what can you do? Fortunately, preventing poor foot health, or building healthy feet, is simple if you put some work into it. Investing in your feet is the most effective way to prevent poor foot health. Prevention means following positive foot care habits like regular toenail trimming and moisturizing. It can also mean scheduling regular foot assessments or buying the proper footwear.Here are our top 10 tips to prevent poor foot health: Wear comfortable and suitable shoes. First and foremost, wear shoes that fit well and are comfortable. Avoid high heels or shoes with pointed toes for extended periods. Practice good hygiene habits. Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash them regularly with soap and water, and dry them thoroughly after bathing or showering. Moisturize your feet. Use a good quality foot cream to moisturize your feet and prevent cracking. Care for your toenails. Keep your toenails trimmed and filed to prevent ingrown toenails. Stretch your feet. Stretch your feet and toes regularly to improve flexibility and prevent foot problems. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise can help improve circulation and keep your feet healthy. Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight can add strain to your feet, so it helps to maintain a healthy weight. Avoid smoking. Smoking can reduce circulation to your feet, making it harder for them to heal if injured. Wear appropriate socks. Wear socks that fit well and wick away moisture to prevent fungal infections and blisters. Schedule regular checkups. See a chiropodist regularly to check your feet for any problems and get professional advice on foot care.

February 16, 2023

You should not takefoot conditionslightly. Many start with minor symptoms that you can easily brush off, but they may soon progress into an issue that impedes your daily life. Regular foot exams are the number one way to be proactive about your foot health.The concept of a foot exam is self-explanatory: a specialist will take a close look at your feet and pinpoint any disconcerting abnormalities, whether minor or severe. This will help clarify whether you have a foot conditions and, if so, its severity. Then you can implement ways to prevent the condition from worsening, get rid of it entirely or learn to successfully live with it.Let's take a closer look at foot exams, what they entail and who needs them the most!Facts About Foot Exams A foot exam includesa physical examination of the feet and lower legs. The chiropodist will assess your range of motion and joints, but they will also pay close attention to your nail and skin health. They will also consider the shape of your feet and look for deformities, such asbunions. They may also assess the biomechanics of your feet. Foot exams are equal parts educational and preventative. For example, you may learn something about your feet that you didn't know, like your arch type (flat feetvs.high arches). While it's true that some people need foot exams more than others,you don't have to have a serious foot condition to book a foot exam. It's okay to schedule one as a means of being proactive and having peace of mind. When a chiropodist performs a foot exam, they will consider any symptoms you mention. For instance, if you tell them you have recently been experiencing heel pain, they may suspect you haveplantar fasciitisand recommend ways you can treat it and feel better. Exams can be a good way to assess your healing progress after sustaining one of many foot injuries.Whether it's an ankle sprain or a broken toe, it's always good to ensure you're on the mend. This is only recommended after the acute treatment phase passes.Foot Exams For Early Detection and Prevention of Serious Medical IssuesFor some people, foot exams are just as critical as cancer screenings. For example,diabetic foot carecan save lives.TheNational Library of Medicinenotes that people withdiabetesshould get a foot exam at least every year due to microvascular, neuropathic, and biomechanical changes to the foot. If the patient has a series of noticeable foot complications or peculiar symptoms, they can see their chiropodist for an exam every six months or less.These symptomsmay include: Tingling Numbness Pain Difficulty walking Swelling BurningWithoutannual foot assessments, it can be easy to miss critical wounding since people with diabetes often don't feel sensations in their lower extremities. The exact term for this is diabetic neuropathy, and it occurs after microvascular changes start restricting blood flow to the body's limbs and feet.Diabetic foot care is a series of routine foot assessments performed by a chiropodist at a foot and ankle clinic. An evaluation can determine the severity levels of diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, a thorough exam can detect the presence of wounds, cuts and scrapes before they get worse.As far as complications go, wounds can often turn into diabetic ulcers.Around 15% of diabetes patients experience a diabetic ulcer in the foot, and as many as 24% of those patients will need an amputation. This can have a devastating impact on someone's overall quality of life and is why foot exams are crucial for people suffering from this disease. If you have diabetes, you need regular foot exams to prevent serious foot health complications. Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels.Aging and Foot AssessmentsWhen you get older, all of the ligaments and tendons in your feet get weaker.UCLA Healthnotes that, as a result, your feet can flatten, and your toes and foot length can increase. Many older people don't realize these changes are occurring and assume they are the same shoe size.But with recurrent foot exams, a chiropodist will be able to pinpoint when these changes start to happen. A foot specialist can also monitor these changes and keep their eyes peeled for bunion and hammertoe development, which are much more likely to occur in seniors, particularly women.Your chiropodist may also advise you to change your footwear since wearing the same ill-fitting shoes can majorly contribute to several foot conditions.Different types of arthritis are also a common risk for older feet. With foot exams, you'll gain knowledge about the likelihood of onset arthritis. This will help you get a head start in managing this condition, which may include implementing a healthyexercise routine.Foot exams are also important for detecting other conditions commonly found in older people before they start impeding mobility. These include corns,callusesandtoenail fungal infections.