A broken or inflamed toenail may not sound like a big deal, until you are limping around and unable to wear your favorite shoes. Learning more about the most common toenail issues ensures you know what to do and when to come into the office if you experience one of these painful problems. Here's what you need to know about toenail issues:
3 Common Toenail Problems and Solutions
Broken or torn nail: When you bump your foot into something, your nail could break and separate from your toe. This full or partial separation can be painful and you'll feel it every step you take. A broken or stubbed toenail occurs most often when your nails are long, so keeping them short will help reduce your risk of this common problem. If you do encounter this, a bandage and an over the counter ointment for pain relief and healing will resolve your issue quickly. If you do more extensive damage or your toe hurts more than it seems like a broken nail should, you could have broken a bone or done more harm than you think. Pain that persists or that seems too severe for the injury should be examined by one of our doctors, just in case.
Toenail Fungus: This uncomfortable condition is actually a fungal infection that will not respond to home treatment or go away on its own. Fungal infections can last for years, so if you suspect you have a toe fungus issue, you should schedule an appointment right away. Our specialty treatments for toenail fungus are designed to eliminate the problem for good, without surgery or uncomfortable ointments and creams. Don't leave suspected fungus untreated, you'll feel better and have less chance of spreading the condition, too.
Ingrown Toenail: When toenail grows partially into the flesh of your toe it can result in pain and the eventual need for intervention. Careful clipping, including trimming toenails straight across, can help prevent this painful condition. An ingrown toenail that is too deep, painful or inflamed should be seen in the office for best results. Ingrown toenails are particularly problematic for diabetics, who may not be able to detect a problem until an infection occurs or medical intervention is needed. In some cases, home treatment will work, in others, an office visit is needed to trim the nail and treat any infection that is present; this can also help reduce the pain and discomfort this condition causes.
Get Help with Painful Toenails
If your toe hurts and you can't tell what is going on, or if home remedies and the advice above are not helping, come into the office for help. We can examine your toe and determine the cause of the pain -- and create a treatment plan designed to give you relief and prevent recurrence. Get in touch today to see how easy it is to tackle these common foot and toe issues and to get back on your feet again right away.
