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Over 57 Million Americans Have Toenail Problems—Are You One of Them? November 2007 Toenail problems rank high on the list of common problems seen by podiatrists and dermatologists. Unlike foot problems that have a sex or age predilection (e.g., gout affects more men, while rheumatoid arthritis affects more women), toenail problems plague men and women equally. Two of the most prevalent nail problems are ingrown toenails and fungal toenails. Ingrown toenails Ingrown toenails are a painful condition caused by the toenail "curving around" and penetrating the skin around the nail, sometimes leading to infection of the toe. Ingrown toenails often result from incorrect nail trimming. Nails should be should be cut straight across, not angled at the corners. Other causes include injury and heredity; it is not uncommon to see many members of the same family with ingrown toenails. Warning: if you have an ingrown toenail, don't treat it yourself! Using over-the-counter medications or performing your own "bathroom surgery" will often make it worse. A podiatrist or other specialist will gently remove the ingrown toenail portion, often using a local anesthetic to numb the area. If the problem persists, there is a simple procedure to "cauterize" the part of the nail root cells causing the problem. Fungal toenails Fungal toenails occur when a fungal infection penetrates the nail cells, leaving the toenail thickened and discolored, often turning yellow or black. The toenail may crumble or have an odor. Conservative care is usually the recommended treatment. Many over-the-counter anti-fungal medications can be helpful. If the problem persists, is painful or causes a bacterial infection, an oral medication such as Lamisil® may be prescribed. |
