Changes in Toenails

Changes in your nails can occur for several reasons. Nails can change color, shape and texture.  Here are a few examples of what could be causing these changes:

Blue Nails

Asthma, COPD, severe anemia, exposure to cold or high altitude, peripheral arterial disease

Green Nails

Bacterial and fungal infections

Pale White Nails

Anemia, zinc deficiency 

White Specks on Nails

Minor injury to the nail bed

Yellow Nails

Nail separated from the nail bed, smoking cigarettes, chronic lung disease

Nails that curve Inward

Tight shoes

Deep Pitting

Skin disease; psoriasis or eczema

Ridging

Aging, injury, infection, illness

Thickened

Fungal infection, injury, poor circulation

Any changes in the appearance of your toenails should be addressed with a physician.

Image by Caitlin Regan. Feet. (2008). Flickr.

Injured Toes

 

Toenails are not just there to polish with pretty colors, they are there to protect the tips of your toes and the bones underneath. Stubbing your toe or dropping something on them can cause significant damage.  If you injure your toe and experience pain beneath the nail, it’s because the nail did not provide enough protection. The bones in your toes may be injured, so it is best to seek a medical opinion to see if there are any breaks or fractures.

When injuring a toe, it is common for blood to pool beneath the surface of the nail, which can be painful. The best thing to do is to see a physician who can help to alleviate the pressure. Do not attempt to do this on your own, as the risk for infection is very high.

Sometimes when the injury is substantial enough, your toenail will fall off. This is a natural process. There is nothing you can do to prevent it. Your body sheds the old damaged nail in order to produce a new healthy one. Unless there is serious damage to the nail bed, your nail will grow back over time.

If your injured toe needs attention, please come to our office to see Dr. Vittori.

 

Image by Charlie Schickr. Stub Toe Lane. (2009). Flickr.

Treatments for Swollen Feet

 

Many people suffer from swollen feet and ankles for a variety of reasons. It may be due to extended periods of time on your feet, being pregnant, being overweight, or having other health conditions. Swollen feet can be painful and uncomfortable. Here are some ideas on how to reduce the swelling.

·         Epsom salt soaks

·         Yoga that focuses on elevating the feet above the heart can alleviate pressure on fatigued limbs

·         If you have regularly swollen lower extremities, ask your doctor about magnesium supplements

·         Foot massage

·         Drink lots of water to flush toxins out of the body

·         Ask your doctor about support or compression hose to prevent swelling

·         Cut out salt and caffeine to avoid fluid retention

If you are experiencing frequent swelling with no relief, seek the opinion of a health care professional.

 

Image by Quinn Dombrowski. By Way of Comparison. (2009). Flickr.

Smoking and your Feet

 

Smoking is the cause of many health related issues; lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema. Smoking can even affect your feet. Physicians can sometimes spot a smoker by the skin on their feet. It is generally thinner, shinier and reddish.

The biggest concern with feet and smoking is peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Plaque builds up in your arteries, affecting the arteries that run down your legs to your feet. Plaque build up causes arteries to become stiff and narrowed, which makes it hard for blood to reach your feet.  A foot can become badly damaged due to lack of blood flow. This sometimes results in foot amputation.

Your risk of developing PAD is four times greater for smokers, and you are likely to get it at an earlier age than non-smokers. Those with PAD are five times more likely to die from issues associated with cardiovascular disease.

Take good care of your feet and the rest of your body by not smoking.

 

Image by Eddie Welker. No Smoking. (2009). Flickr.

 

Baby's First Shoes

It may seem like every time you blink, your little one is reaching a new milestone. Shortly after learning to crawl, parents need to prepare for baby’s first steps. Aside from baby proofing the house, preparation should include shoe shopping. Try to avoid going for the shoes that are the cutest. The best idea is to have a professional fit the shoes. If shoes do not fit properly, it can affect your child’s foot development.

Go for shoes with stiff soles, as they have the best support. Make sure there is room for the foot to move around. There should be at least a quarter inch of space between the front of the shoe and the big toe. Children’s feet grow quickly, so it is important to check the fit often. You may even want to check the child’s foot for blisters or redness.

The best way for a child to learn how to walk is barefoot, so don’t worry about wearing shoes in the house. Save them for outdoor activities.

Image by Dustin McClure. (2013). Baby Shoes. Flickr.

All About Shoes

It is very likely that you have shoes in your closet that are doing you more harm than good. Your favorite pair of shoes may be having negative effects on your feet.

Flip-Flops

Problem: No arch support and no foot protection leaving you prone to injury

Risks: Broken toes, scraped feet, sprained ankles, tendonitis and plantar fasciitis

Solution: Keep the flip-flops for the beach or the pool. Wear real sandals with a strap that holds your foot inside the show

Sky High Heels

Problem: Anything higher than two inches causes a misalignment in your foot and an abnormal amount of pressure on the balls of your feet

Risks: Achilles tendonitis (shortened Achilles tendon), metatarsalgia (chronic pain the ball of your foot), stress fractures, hammer toes

Solution: Save them for special occasions, get gel cushion inserts for the balls of your feet, get a heel with a roomy toe

 

Pointy-toed Heels

Problem: Pinch your toes  together

Risks: Metatarsalgia, hammer toes, neuroma (an inflammation of the nerve between the toes)

Solution: Save for a special occasion or try to find shoes with a roomier toe

 

Ballet Flats

Problem: Lack support and cushioning

Risks: Tendonitis, plantar fasciitis

Solution: Choose flats with a supportive sole and heel

 

Backless Shoes

Problem: Toes grab for support

Risks: Hammer toes calluses

Solution: Wear in moderation or find a shoe with a back

 

The main thing to remember is if shoes are uncomfortable, they are probably doing some harm to your feet. Stick to shoes that don’t pinch, have a wide enough toe, have good arch and heel support, and are protecting your feet.

Image by A.K. Photography. (2006). Shoes and a Latte. Flickr.

Athlete's Foot and Ringworm

 

Ringworm is one of the most common skin disorders. It is an itchy, red, scaly, contagious rash that resembles the shape of a ring. The infection can pop up on many different parts of the body, but no matter if it is on the scalp, face or feet, it is caused by the same fungus. The ringworm fungus, tinea, causes athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot is likely to stay in the webs of your toes. Since this area gets sweaty, the fungus looks less flaky and more white and wet. The fungus can also attack your toe nails, causing thickened, yellow, brittle nails. Fungal infections can be treated by either a topical application or an oral medication. There are many over-the-counter products, but it is best to seek a medical opinion so you can treat it correctly before it worsens. Athlete’s foot is often a recurrent issue for people because of their skin type and/or lifestyle habits. Ask your doctor about ways to help prevent the fungus from returning.

 

Image by Raul Santos de la Camara. (2009). Foot Doctoring. Flickr.