Love Your Toenails

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Just because your toenails are literally the furthest thing physically from your mind is no reason to neglect them when it comes to proper foot care. Your toenails can be important arbiters of your overall health, and keeping vigilant for changes in their texture or color can also help avoid complications by noticing abnormalities before they worsen.

Two of the specific issues you should check for regularly include:

  • Toenail fungus—If you notice one or more of your toenails have become thicker and more brittle at the edges with yellowing or other color changes, you may have a toenail fungal infection. The fungi that cause this are the same that cause athlete’s foot infection, and can be contracted from public places like pools, gyms, and showers. The fungi love the warm, moist environment inside your shoes. Nail fungus can be hard to eradicate since it grows under the nail and aggressive treatments by your foot care professional may be necessary to completely eradicate the fungus and keep it from growing back.
  • Ingrown toenails—This problem often occurs when the toenails are cut too short and rounded, allowing the edge of the nail to grow under the skin creating a painful situation with swelling and possible infection in the soft tissue at the edge of the nail. An infection can worsen and spread to the underlying bone, possibly leading to amputation. This is especially problematic for diabetic patients that may not feel any pain from the ingrown nail and not notice the infection. Daily foot inspections are essential, and regular visits to your podiatrist are highly recommended.

If you need assistance treating an ingrown toenail, your foot care professional can help. At E.J. Nemet Podiatry in Twinsburg,  E.J. Nemet, DPM, treats a variety of foot and ankle conditions, including sports injuries, pediatric foot problems, diabetic foot complications, nerve disorders, and toenail and skin conditions. With advanced technologies and a dedicated staff, Dr. Nemet provides expert and compassionate care to patients in the Twinsburg and Beachwood areas. To contact us or to schedule an appointment, please call (234) 212-9940.

Proper Foot CareE.J. NEMET DPM, LLC