Ingrowing Nails - definition - cuses - treatment - prevention

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

When a toenail is ingrown, it is curved and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe.

If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odor. However, even if the toe isn’t painful, red, swollen, or warm, a nail that curves downward into the skin can progress to an infection.

Causes of ingrown toenails include:

Heredity. In many people, the tendency for ingrown toenails is inherited.

Trauma. Sometimes an ingrown toenail is the result of trauma, such as stubbing your toe, having an object fall on your toe, or engaging in activities that involve repeated pressure on the toes, such as kicking or running.

Improper trimming. The most common cause of ingrown toenails is cutting your nails too short. This encourages the skin next to the nail to fold over the nail.

Improperly sized footwear. Ingrown toenails can result from wearing socks and shoes that are tight or short.

Nail Conditions. Ingrown toenails can be caused by nail problems, such as fungal infections or losing a nail due to trauma.

Ingrown2Treatment

Sometimes initial treatment for ingrown toenails can be safely performed at home. However, home treatment is strongly discouraged if an infection is suspected, or for those who have medical conditions that put feet at high risk, such as diabetes, nerve damage in the foot, or poor circulation.

Home care:

If you don’t have an infection or any of the above medical conditions, you can soak your foot in room-temperature water (adding Epsom’s salt may be recommended by your doctor), and gently massage the side of the nail fold to help reduce the inflammation.

Avoid attempting “bathroom surgery.” Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. If your symptoms fail to improve, it’s time to see a foot and ankle surgeon.

Physician care:

After examining the toe, the foot and ankle surgeon will select the treatment best suited for you. If an infection is present, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed.

Sometimes a minor surgical procedure, often performed in the office, will ease the pain and remove the offending nail. After applying a local anesthetic, the doctor removes part of the nail’s side border. Some nails may become ingrown again, requiring removal of the nail root.

Following the nail procedure, a light bandage will be applied. Most people experience very little pain after surgery and may resume normal activity the next day. If your surgeon has prescribed an oral antibiotic, be sure to take all the medication, even if your symptoms have improved.

Preventing Ingrown Toenails

Many cases of ingrown toenails may be prevented by:

Proper trimming. Cut toenails in a fairly straight line, and don’t cut them too short. You should be able to get your fingernail under the sides and end of the nail.

Well-fitted shoes and socks. Don’t wear shoes that are short or tight in the toe area. Avoid shoes that are loose, because they too cause pressure on the toes, especially when running or walking briskly

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What You Should Know About Home Treatment

Don’t cut a notch in the nail. Contrary to what some people believe, this does not reduce the tendency for the nail to curve downward.

Don’t repeatedly trim nail borders. Repeated trimming does not change the way the nail grows, and can make the condition worse.

Don’t place cotton under the nail. Not only does this not relieve the pain, it provides a place for harmful bacteria to grow, resulting in infection

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OVER-THE-COUNTERmedications are ineffective. Topical medications may mask the pain, but they don’t correct the underlying problem 

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Dr . Tarik Torki

Diabetic Foot Specialist & Foot Care Specialist
Saudi Arabia – Riyadh
0562154241
Khuris Street – In Front of Pakistanian Airline
Info@diabeticfootarabia.com

http://diabeticfootcareonline.blogspot.com.

Podiatrist role in diabetes foot care in Riyadh - Suadi Arabia

Diabetes affects the lives of nearly 26 million people in the United States and nearly seven million don’t even know they have the disease yet.

Podiatrist plays a key role in helping patients manage diabetes successfully and avoid foot-related complications and are an important part of your diabetes management team.

The keys to amputation prevention are early recognition and regular foot screenings performed by a podiatrist.

The role of a podiatrist in diabetic foot care ranges from regular prevention and education to identifying and treating problems before they get out of hand.  In the extreme cases, it can be about helping control an infection and attempting to save a limb

Podiatrists play a very critical and often underestimated role in the care of diabetics. Diabetes is what is referred to as a "small vessel" disease, meaning that it may affect both the larger blood vessels but also effects the smaller blood vessels like those in the eye and toes as opposed to our larger vessels. Diabetes also effects affects the nerves, bones, skin and all aspects of the foot. In many instances the serious problems that diabetics can get in their feet can often be avoided with the good foot care a podiatrist is best qualified to offer. There are many who now specialize in diabetic foot problems.

Podiatrists play a key role in providing appropriate foot care for people with diabetes. A person with diabetes should have a comprehensive diabetic foot examination by a podiatrist on a yearly basis. Depending on the findings on the comprehensive diabetic foot examination based on the risk status of the person, a regular schedule of foot care should be set up. For those persons with diabetes and no risk--yearly foot examinations are fine. For others, depending on their risk status they may need to be seen more frequently. This is the basis for regular scheduled examinations and foot care, but any acute problems should be evaluated immediately. The greatest danger is for those with diabetes that have lost the ability to sense pain in other words they have the loss of protective sensation (peripheral neuropathy). These persons need to be extremely careful and have their feet inspected daily by themselves or a family member to look for any areas of redness, irritation, cuts or sores.

Podiatrists are an important member of the team of providers providing care for people with diabetes. Studies have established that including podiatrists in the care of people with diabetes leads to less lower extremity complications. Prevention is essential in preventing serious diabetic foot problems.

Each year more than 65,000 lower limbs are amputated due to complications from diabetes. By including a podiatrist in your diabetes care you can reduce the risk of lower limb amputation by up to 85%. Podiatrists play an integral role in amputation prevention by performing regular foot screenings and early recognition. For example, a podiatrist will look for the following diabetes warning signs

1) Dry cracks in the skin

2) Ingrown and fungal toenails

 3) Numbness in the feet or toes

 4) Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal

 5) Swelling of the foot or ankle

6) Pain in the legs

 7) Skin color changes

 8) Bleeding corns and calluses.

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Dr . Tarik Torki

Diabetic Foot Specialist & Foot Care Specialist
Saudi Arabia – Riyadh
0562154241
Khuris Street – In Front of Pakistanian Airline
Info@diabeticfootarabia.com

http://diabeticfootcareonline.blogspot.com

Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime

Introduction

Do you want to lower your chances of getting foot problems that can lead to the loss of a toe, foot, or leg? This booklet tells you how. It's all about taking care of your feet. Even if you have had diabetes for a long time, this booklet can help you learn more. Use it to help you make your own plan for taking care of your feet. Share your plan with your doctor and health care team and get their help when you need it.

Reminder: Call your doctor right away if a cut, blister, or bruise on your foot does not begin to heal after a few days.

Why is foot care important?

Over time, diabetes can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. When you lose feeling in your feet, you may not feel a pebble inside your sock or a blister on your foot, which can lead to cuts and sores. Diabetes also can lower the amount of blood flow in your feet. Numbness and less blood flow in the feet can lead to foot problems.

Foot care is very important for all people with diabetes, but even more so if you have:

pain or loss of feeling in your feet (numbness, tingling)

changes in the shape of your feet or toes

sores, cuts, or ulcers on your feet that do not heal

If you take care of your feet every day, you can lower your chances of losing a toe, foot, or leg. Managing your blood sugar can also help keep your feet healthy.

Work with your health care team to make a diabetes plan that fits your lifestyle and includes foot care. The team may include your doctor, a diabetes educator, a nurse, a foot doctor (podiatrist) and other specialists who can help you manage your diabetes.

1. Check your feet every day.

Check your feet for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, and infected toenails. You may have foot problems, but feel no pain in your feet.

Check your feet each evening when you take off your shoes.

If you have trouble bending over to see your feet, use a mirror to help. You can also ask a family member or caregiver to help you.

2. Wash your feet every day.

Wash your feet in warm, not hot, water. Do not soak your feet because your skin will get dry.

Before bathing or showering, test the water to make sure it is not too hot. You can use a thermometer (90° to 95° F is safe) or your elbow to test the water.

Use talcum powder or cornstarch to keep the skin between your toes dry to prevent infection.

3. Keep the skin soft and smooth.

Rub a thin coat of lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly on the tops and bottoms of your feet.

Do not put lotion or cream between your toes because this might cause an infection.

4. Smooth corns and calluses gently.

Thick patches of skin called corns or calluses can grow on the feet. If you have corns or calluses, check with your foot doctor about the best way to care for them.

If your doctor tells you to, use a pumice stone to smooth corns and calluses after bathing or showering. A pumice stone is a type of rock used to smooth the skin. Rub gently, only in one direction, to avoid tearing the skin.

Do not cut corns and calluses.

Do not use razor blades, corn plasters, or liquid corn and callus removers - they can damage your skin and cause an infection.

5. If you can see, reach, and feel your feet, trim your toenails regularly.

Trim your toenails with nail clippers after you wash and dry your feet.

Trim your toenails straight across and smooth the corners with an emery board or nail file. This prevents the nails from growing into the skin. Do not cut into the corners of the toenail.

Have a foot doctor trim your toenails if:

you cannot see or feel your feet

you cannot reach your feet

your toenails are thick or yellowed

your nails curve and grow into the skin

6. Wear shoes and socks at all times.

Wear shoes and socks at all times. Do not walk barefoot when indoors or outside. It is easy to step on something and hurt your feet. You may not feel any pain and not know that you hurt yourself.

Make sure you wear socks, stockings, or nylons with your shoes to keep from getting blisters and sores.

Choose clean, lightly padded socks that fit well. Socks that have no seams are best.

Check inside your shoes before you put them on. Make sure the lining is smooth and that there are no objects in your shoes.

Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet.

7. Protect your feet from hot and cold.

Wear shoes at the beach and on hot pavement. You may burn your feet and may not know it.

Put sunscreen on the top of your feet to prevent sunburn.

Keep your feet away from heaters and open fires.

Do not put hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet.

Wear socks at night if your feet get cold.

Wear lined boots in the winter to keep your feet warm.

8. Keep the blood flowing to your feet.

Put your feet up when you are sitting.

Wiggle your toes for 5 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day. Move your ankles up and down and in and out to help blood flow in your feet and legs.

Do not cross your legs for long periods of time.

Do not wear tight socks, elastic, or rubber bands around your legs.

Do not smoke. Smoking can lower the amount of blood flow to your feet.

9. Be more active.

Being active improves blood flow to the feet. Ask your health care team for safe ways to be more active each day. Move more by walking, dancing, swimming, or going bike riding.

If you are not very active, start slowly.

Find safe places to be active.

Wear athletic shoes that give support and are made for your activity.

10. Be sure to ask your health care team to:

check your feet at every visit

check the sense of feeling and pulses in your feet at least once a year

show you how to care for your feet

refer you to a foot doctor if needed

tell you if special shoes would help protect your feet

Reminder: Cut out the foot care tip sheet in this booklet and put it on your bathroom or bedroom wall or your nightstand to remind you to take care of your feet.

Complete the "To Do List" at the back of this booklet.

11. Take care of your diabetes.

Work with your health care team to make a plan to manage your diabetes.

Ask your health care team to help you set and reach goals for managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Ask your team to help you choose safe ways to be more active each day and choose healthy foods to eat.

Tips for Choosing the Right Footwear

Shoebox with shoes inside

Wearing the right type of shoes is important for keeping your feet healthy. Walking shoes and athletic shoes are good for daily wear. They support your feet and allow them to "breathe."

Never wear vinyl or plastic shoes, because they do not stretch or "breathe."

When buying shoes, make sure they feel good and have enough room for your toes.

Do not wear shoes with pointed toes or high heels often. They put too much pressure on your toes.

Buy shoes at the end of the day when your feet are the largest so that you can find the best fit.

Medicare and other insurance for special footwear:

You may need special shoes or shoe inserts to support your feet. Medicare Part B insurance may cover some of the cost of special shoes or inserts. Ask your doctor if your insurance plan will pay for:

Depth shoes or inserts. Depth shoes look like walking shoes, but have MORE ROOM in them. The extra room is for different shaped feet and toes, or for inserts made to fit your feet.

Custom molded shoes with inserts.

Ask your doctor or foot doctor how you can get this special footwear.

Things to remember:

Set a time every day to check your feet.

Wear socks and shoes at all times.

Write down the date of your next visit to the doctor. Go to all of your appointments and ask any questions that you have.

Set a date for getting the things you need to take care of your feet: nail clippers, pumice stone, emery board, skin lotion, talcum powder, plastic mirror, socks, walking shoes, and slippers.

Stop smoking.

Manage your diabetes so you can prevent foot problems.

Source

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Dr . Tarik Torki

Diabetic Foot Specialist & Foot Care Specialist
Saudi Arabia – Riyadh
0562154241
Khuris Street – In Front of Pakistanian Airline
Info@diabeticfootarabia.com

http://diabeticfootcareonline.blogspot.com