How You can be Helped with Toe Nail Problems

You may have a problem with your toe nails and may not be aware that you can be helped by a podiatrist.
What is a podiatrist? A podiatrist is trained to diagnose and prevent foot and ankle problems. He or she is a doctor, known to practice podiatric medicine. Most of us, like myself, may go trough life not needing a podiatrist, but for those who may need one, the following information is good to know.
The following are some symptoms and treatments for common toe nail problems:
An ingrown toe nail is the result of a nail growing into the skin that surrounds it. This often occurs at either edge of the big toe. This can also occur in fingernails as well. Ingrown nails may be caused by improper trimming, inherited nail deformities, injuries, fungal infections, or pressure on the toes.
There are various symptoms. Ingrown nails may cause pain at the tip of the toe or all the way to the base of the toe. There can be pain while walking. An ingrown toe nail can sometimes lead to an infection, just as it can when a person has an ingrown fingernail. This is why it is a good idea to do something about it as soon as you can. If it is infected, you might see puss or redness.
The treatment for ingrown nails is simple. If the nail isn’t infected, your podiatrist may trim the corner of it to help relieve the symptoms. The doctor may need to remove one side of the nail back to the cuticle. The base of the nail is then treated with a chemical to keep the ingrown part from growing back. If there is an infection, your doctor will order an antibiotic. To prevent pain, a local anesthetic may be used.

A common problem with toe nails is when nails may be too thick that an individual needs a podiatrist to do the trimming. A neighbor of mine has this problem. His toe nails are so thick, he cannot cut his own nails. He goes to a podiatrist about every two months or when his nails begin to get too long.
Abnormally thick nails or crumbling nails, as it is sometimes called, may be caused by injuries, pressure from shoes, fungal infections, or conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, or vascular disease. More often than not, the nail may loosen and fall off.
The thickened nail, however, may be more serious than you think. It is important to get an evaluation of this problem. As stated before, it could be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. You should contact your podiatrist, to be on the safe side. He can check your medical history to see if there is an underlying reason. To check for a fungal infection, a culture may be done.
If the thick nail isn’t infected or if there no serious medical problem, your podiatrist may be able to thin it by trimming, filing, or grinding it.

A black-and blue nail is usually caused by an injury, however, if the nail is black and blue and there was no injury to the toe, you must contact a doctor immediately.
Why is it urgent to call immediately? This may be a symptom of broken blood vessels which causes the black and blue color.
Many nail problems can be averted by wearing the proper shoes and trimming your nails properly. To help avoid infection, keep your feet clean and dry. If you have diabetes, talk with your podiatrist.
Source: Personal experience and brochure on Common Nail Problems