Toenail injuries are some of the most common conditions treated at a podiatry office. The following guide explains a variety of toenail ailments and how a foot specialist can treat them.  

3 Common Conditions That Can Affect Your Toenails 

1. Ingrown Toenail 

When the side of your nail cuts into the skin, it can cause inflammation and become infected. Ingrown toenails are painful and might look red and swollen and discharge pus. Wearing tight, poor-fitting shoes and cutting your nails too short or on a curve instead of straight across can cause an ingrown nail. Some people are also prone to them and might need to have a wedge resection, which means a podiatrist removes a small section of the nail and treats it to prevent regrowth. 

Most people, however, can treat an ingrown nail at home with hot water and Epsom salt to reduce inflammation. They should avoid wearing closed-toe shoes for a few days to relieve pressure on the nail. If you have an underlying health condition, such as poor circulation, diabetes, an active infection, or get repeat ingrown nails, a foot specialist can accelerate your recovery and prevent ingrown nails from reoccurring. 

2. Fungus 

If you have a fungal infection, the toenail might appear yellow or white, brittle, and thicker than usual. It could also have a slight odor or seem to crumble apart. The fungus is contagious, and you can pick it up by walking barefoot in an area where someone with an infection has also walked, like a locker room or public shower. It’s also more likely to develop if your feet are wet for long periods of time, or if you have a condition that compromises your immune system, like diabetes. It’s more common in older individuals and can spread to your other toes or cause athlete’s foot. 

To treat a fungal toenail infection, a foot specialist will first debride the nail and remove as much of the infection as possible. Then, they’ll likely prescribe an oral or topical anti-fungal medication. Some people also receive laser treatments. 

3. Trauma & Discoloration 

If you stub your toe or drop something heavy onto it, you could cause bruising beneath the nail or crack the nail surface. After an injury, it’s possible for the nail to separate from the bed and fall off.  

If you hurt your toe, soak it in cold water for about 20 minutes to help bring down the swelling. If part of the nail is separated, carefully file off the lifted edges so that it doesn’t catch and tear. Then, clean the area, apply an antibiotic cream, and wrap the toe with a bandage. If it continues to hurt, or you can’t explain why the nail fell off, you should see a foot specialist. Your toe might be broken, or, in rare cases, there could be another condition causing the nail discoloration. 

If you experience any of these conditions or another toenail issue, the foot specialists at Podiatry Associates of Rochester LLP can help. This company has offices on Portland Ave., Linden Oaks Dr., and Buffalo Rd, so it’s easy to make an appointment and receive immediate care. To learn more about foot care, visit their website, or call (585) 342-8700 to see a foot specialist in Rochester, NY, today.