FAQ - Toenail Problems

How can I prevent an ingrown toenail?

There are several different things you can do for ingrown toenail prevention . Keep your nails trimmed straight across so the edges of the nails are left intact. Don’t round the sides to match the ends of your toes. Make sure the hard keratin is short enough that it won’t bump against the ends of your shoes. Keep nails roughly even in length with the ends of each toe.

Make sure you wear shoes that fit correctly, too. Footwear that is too tight or narrow squeezes your toes. This can put pressure on the ends and edges of your nails, causing them to curl and grow inward instead of straight. Choose shoes that have wide, deep toes boxes that match the shape of your foot. This is especially important if you have diabetes or some other condition that impairs your nerves. Check your nails regularly for changes so that you can catch any nail problems before they worsen and cause pain. If you’re concerned with ingrown toenails , let our team at West Lawn Podiatry Associates in the Reading, PA, area help you. Just call (610) 678-4581 or use our website to reach us for an appointment .

What causes toenail fungus?

Fungal nails are an unpleasant infection caused by microscopic fungi. Occasionally the infection is caused by a mold or a yeast, but the majority of the time, the culprit is a dermatophyte fungus. This organism exists in the environment, particularly thriving and spreading in warm, moist locations, like pools, public showers, and locker rooms. You develop the condition when your feet present the right atmosphere for the pathogens to grow, and when you come into direct contact with the organisms. Typically the infection settles under your nail by invading tiny cuts or slight separations between the hard keratin and your nail bed.

Fortunately, no matter how you develop the problem, you can treat fungal toenails conservatively. Let our team at West Lawn Podiatry Associates help identify the pathogen that changed your nails and then help you eliminate it. Don’t wait for the infection to spread before seeking treatment. You can reach our office in the Reading, Pennsylvania area for an appointment by calling (610) 678-4581 or using the web contact form.