Toenail Problems That Warrant A Visit To The Foot Doctor
If you were waking up every morning with sore feet, or if you stepped funny and sprained a tendon, you would probably know to see a foot doctor. Indeed, foot doctors treat a lot of problems like these. But did you know that they are also trained to diagnose and treat ailments that affect the toenails? If you're struggling with any of these toenail problems, make an appointment with a foot doctor.
Ingrown Toenails
Are the corners of your toenails growing into the skin on the sides of your toenail? This might be happening with just one or two toes, or it might be happening with them all. At first, it might only be a visual problem. But over time, ingrown toenails tend to become more and more painful. You may notice that the skin around your nail becomes red and swollen. The area can also become infected, in which case your toes might start to feel hot and you may see some pus. A foot doctor can trim your nails in a way that will correct ingrown nails and hopefully keep them from coming back. If this does not work, they might need to remove your toenail. This can be done with a local anesthetic so you don't feel pain during the procedure. Your nail should grow back straight and healthy after the removal.
Thick, Yellow Toenails
Are your toenails yellow in color, and are they becoming thicker and thicker? They may be starting to look more like calluses than nails. This issue is almost always caused by a fungal infection. The fungi invade the nail and eat away at it. Fungal nail infections can be really tough to treat with over-the-counter remedies, but a foot doctor can prescribe a stronger antifungal for you to use. In the worst case, they may need to remove your toenail, treat the nail bed, and then let the healthy nail grow back.
White Streaks
If one or more of your toenails have distinct white streaks or white spots, you may have a condition called leukonychia. This condition can be caused by an underlying nutrient deficiency, or in some cases, heavy metal poisoning. Your foot doctor may order some blood tests or coordinate with another specialist to figure out the underlying cause of your leukonychia. By correcting the underlying cause, they can restore your nails back to their usual, clear appearance.
All three of these toenail problems often warrant a visit to the foot doctor, so don't delay.
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