Toenail Tips
When was the last time you took a close look at your toes — and then an even closer look at your toenails? At PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center, we like to remind our patients that there are a lot of things we can learn from daily foot inspections. There are also common conditions that shouldn’t be ignored. Here are a few examples, including prevention tips:
Fungal toenails
Do you know the signs of fungal toenails? Here’s one: thick, yellow, or discolored toenails. Act fast if you see the signs because toenail fungus can spread from one toe to another. The fungus that causes this condition can also be shared through hygiene items like toenail clippers.
Tip: Wash and dry your feet daily, and avoid sharing shoes.
Ingrown Toenails
When the toenail begins to grow into the side of your skin, you have an ingrown toenail. This condition can become painful. If the surrounding skin becomes red and irritated, you may also have an infection. Ingrown toenails are a common condition, but they are often preventable.
Tip: Wear properly fitting shoes, and trim nails straight across.
Discolored Toenails
Discolored toenails don’t always mean you’re battling a fungus. There are other common causes, too. When was the last time you removed the nail polish from your toes? Do you have a toe injury? Running into the corner table may be the cause of your dark-colored toenail.
Tip: Schedule an appointment with your podiatrist at the first sign of changes.
Our board-certified team of foot and ankle doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience with addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.