Toenail Problems

Methods of treating an ingrown toenail

• Trim your toenails straight across
• Wear shoes that fit properly
• Soak your foot in Epsom salts/warm water if your nail is ingrown
• Don’t ever stick cotton or anything else under the nail to “lift the corners”, it could cause an infection
• Don’t cut a “V” in the middle of the nail-it really won’t change the way the toenail grows
• Go see a podiatrist and have the nail permanently fixed. There is a 98% chance your nail will never become ingrown again with a simple procedure called a matrixectomy

Your toenails are just as important as your foot or any other part of your body. This is because your toenails can alert your doctor of the beginning or several conditions. For example, toenails that are hollow instead of being rounded can indicate an iron deficiency or anemia. Increased nail thickness, or bumps on the nail, can be psoriasis, a skin disease. Your foot doctor will check your toenails to make sure they are healthy. Healthy nails are pink, free of dirt,  and grow into the grooves normally. Your podiatrist can give you a variety of treatment options for any and all your toenail problems. Common conditions of your toenails include an ingrown toenail, thickened nails, fungal infections, other infections, and trauma.

Who gets toenail problems?

All ages of people can go through changes with their toenails including thick, brittle, curved, discolored, infected, and grooved nails. As you grow older, you are more likely to develop toenail problems because you are prone to have poor circulation.

What causes toenail problems?

Toenail problems can be caused by warts, tumors under the nail bed, infection, or poor circulation. One major cause to problems is incorrectly fitting shoes that press too tightly on the toenails. Another major cause is injury to the nail that causes bruising or an infection. This can cause permanent nail deformity.

** If you have any sudden changes in color or shape of your nail, sign of infection, freckles develop under then nail, or you have pain, call our office at (615) 220-8788 or request an appointment online. We have offices in Nashville, TN, Brentwood, TN, Smyrna, TN, Bellevue, Hermitage, TN, Mt. Juliet, TN, Lebanon and Waverly, TN. For more information about nail problems, visit our website at www.neufoot.com.

The Light Age Q-Clear laser treatment, known by physicians as Onychomycosis, is our newest treatment available for curing toenail fungus. It is a quick, virtually painless procedure that is done in the office and is a great alternative to prescription medications.

With the laser treatment, there are little or no side effects and it can be used on anyone. In fact, early results from around the country show this to be the most effective laser on the market for toenail fungus.

Each one of your toes will be treated with the laser. The laser treatment is not painful and it kills the infection, but does not harm the nail or the surrounding skin. You should only feel a mild, warming sensation. There is usually no discomfort after the treatment, either, and it only takes about 10 minutes.

The nail revitalizes as it grows out so depending on how quickly your nail grows, you should begin to see results within 2-4 months. However, it takes longer for the nail to fully grow out.

The success of the treatment depends largely on how you care for your feet and nails after the treatment. If you have toenail laser treatment done in our office, we will discuss with you how to care for you nails and feet after the procedure to avoid re-infection.

One of the best parts about laser treatment is the speed in which you can return to your daily life. You can return to your regular, daily routine immediately after your toenail laser treatment.

For more information on Q-clear laser treatment or toenail fungus, visit our website www.nashvilletoenailfungus.com. To set up an appointment, you can call our office at 615-220-8788 or at our toll-free number 888-713-0906. You can also request an appointment online.