Overlapping and Underlapping Toes
Underlapping Toe
Any one of the toes can overlap or underlap, pushing on adjacent toes and causing irritation. Pain, inflammation and small corns or areas of built up tissue may result. This deformity also can interfere with the normal function of the foot, and if left untreated, may lead to enlargement of bone or bone spur formation.
Fungal Nails
Fungus infection of the nails (a condition known as onychomycosis) is caused by tiny organisms called dermatophytes which grow under the toenails. The nails may turn yellowish-brown, curled or distorted. Anytime the nail is damaged by breakage, it becomes susceptible to fungus invasion. Fungus infection can enter the toenail in four ways; through the end of the nail by an organism called T. Rubum, through the base of the nail, the top of the nail plate is the third most common region, which is usually seen in medically compromised patients, such as diabetics or people with heart conditions. And lastly, organisms can infect the nail folds and cause skin fungus infection as well.
Fungal nails are caused by airborne organisms, like a virus. If left untreated this virus will rarely cure itself. Because fungus loves dark, moist placed, the feet are ideal environments for fungus organisms.
Fungus infections can be treated successfully and safely by oral medications, such as Sporanox, Lamisil or Diflucan. Topical medications are not as effective as the oral because they cannot get under the nail where the fungus grows. However, topical medications can be a good starting point, and used in conjunctions with nail reduction (debridement) or removal of the nail, allows the medicine to penetrate the infected area.
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown nail occurs when a portion of a toenail on either side of the toe turns downward and presses into the skin. When the border of the nail is turned downward, it begins to injure the skin. In mild cases, where no infection is present, pain relief can be obtained by applying moisturizing cream to the nail edge and covering with a band aid. This softens the hard skin and often provides temporary pain relief. In more advanced cases, where redness or obvious infection is present, a podiatrist may need to be consulted for treatment.
In the most minor cases, the podiatrist will simply cut the nail to shorten it, and show you how to cut the nail in the future, to prevent ingrowing of the nail again. In more severe cases, the podiatrist may gently remove the ingrown portion of the nail. In cases where the nail has grown in repeatedly, or more critically, when the nail edge has penetrated the skin and caused an infection, the podiatrist will perform a minor procedure called an Ingrown Nail Correction or Matricectomy. The podiatrist will gently numb your toe, reshape the nail edge and finally, apply a medicine which will, in most cases, permanently prevent the nail edge from growing improperly again.