Dealing with ingrown toenails can be a painful and frustrating experience. While they can occur as an isolated incident, some individuals may face the challenge of recurring ingrown toenails. In this blog, we will delve into the causes of ingrown toenails, their symptoms, methods to avoid them, and most importantly, how to prevent their recurrence. If you are struggling with recurring ingrown toenails, it is essential to seek professional help from our podiatrist. We are here to provide expert care and guidance for your foot health needs.

What are Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails, also known as onychocryptosis, develop when the edges or corners of the nails grow into the surrounding skin. This condition most commonly affects the big toe but can occur in any toe. Ingrown toenails can be quite painful and lead to redness, swelling, and even infection if left untreated. The pain can also make it difficult to walk or wear shoes comfortably.

What are the Main Causes of Ingrown Toenails?

Several factors contribute to the development of ingrown toenails, including:

• Improper Nail Trimming: Trimming your nails too short or rounding the edges can encourage the nails to grow into the surrounding skin.
• Ill-Fitting Shoes: Tight-fitting or narrow shoes can put pressure on the toes and lead to ingrown toenails.
• Trauma or Injury: Stubbing your toe or dropping something heavy on it can cause the nail to grow abnormally and become ingrown.
• Genetic Predisposition: Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to develop ingrown toenails due to the shape or structure of their nails.

What are the Symptoms?

Recognizing the symptoms of ingrown toenails is crucial for early intervention. Look out for the following signs:

• Pain and tenderness along the edges of the toenail.
• Redness and swelling around the nail.
• Formation of a tender, fluid-filled blister or pus.
• Difficulty wearing shoes or walking comfortably.

Are There Ways to Avoid Ingrown Nails?

While not all cases of ingrown toenails can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Trim Nails Properly: Cut your nails straight across and avoid rounding the edges. Do not trim them too short, as this can increase the likelihood of ingrown nails. Keeping the nails at a moderate length can help prevent them from digging into the skin.
• Wear Proper Footwear: Choose shoes that fit well and provide enough room for your toes to move comfortably. Avoid tight or narrow shoes that squeeze your toes together.
• Practice Good Foot Hygiene: Keep your feet clean and dry, and regularly moisturize the skin to prevent dryness and cracking.
• Protect Your Toes: If you participate in activities that may expose your feet to trauma, such as sports or heavy labor, consider wearing protective footwear.

Can Ingrown Toenails Ever Come Back?

While recurring ingrown toenails can indeed be frustrating, it’s important to know that there are factors that can contribute to their reappearance. Understanding these factors and taking appropriate measures can help minimize the chances of ingrown toenails coming back.

One factor that can contribute to recurrent ingrown toenails is the shape of your nails. Some individuals naturally have nails that are more curved or sharply angled, making them more prone to growing into the surrounding skin. In such cases, it may be necessary to modify your nail care routine and take extra precautions to prevent ingrowth.

Another factor is improper nail trimming. Cutting the nails too short or rounding the edges can increase the likelihood of the nails growing into the skin. To minimize the risk of recurrence, it is important to trim your nails straight across and avoid cutting them too close to the skin. Keeping the nails at a moderate length can also help prevent them from digging into the surrounding tissue.

Genetics can also play a role in predisposing individuals to ingrown toenails. If you have a family history of ingrown nails, you may be more prone to experiencing them yourself. While you can’t change your genetics, you can still take proactive steps to prevent recurrences by practicing good foot hygiene and nail care.

Seeking professional help from Dr. Miyazaki is crucial in managing and preventing recurring ingrown toenails. She can assess your situation, provide appropriate treatment, and offer guidance on preventive measures. She may recommend specific techniques for nail trimming, suggest footwear modifications, or provide custom orthotics to reduce pressure on the toes.

It’s important to note that even with the best preventive measures, there is still a slight possibility of ingrown toenails recurring. However, by following proper nail care techniques, wearing appropriate footwear, and seeking professional care, you can significantly reduce the chances of experiencing this condition again.

Remember, if you notice any signs of an ingrown toenail, such as pain, redness, or swelling, it is crucial to seek prompt professional care. Early intervention can prevent the condition from worsening and minimize the risk of recurrence. Our podiatrist can provide you with personalized recommendations based on your specific situation, helping you maintain healthy and pain-free feet.

How to Stop Recurring Ingrown Nails:

If you are struggling with recurring ingrown toenails, it is highly recommended to consult our office. We can assess your condition and provide appropriate treatment options, such as:

• Partial or Complete Nail Removal: Our podiatrist may recommend removing a portion of the affected nail to prevent recurrence in severe cases.
• Nail Avulsion: This procedure involves removing the ingrown portion of the nail and applying a chemical or laser treatment to prevent regrowth.
• Antibiotics or Antifungal Medications: If an infection is present, our podiatrist may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medications to address the underlying issue.
• Education and Prevention Strategies: Our podiatrist can provide guidance on proper nail trimming techniques, footwear selection, and ongoing foot care to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Dealing with Recurring Ingrown Toenails? Come See Us Today!

If you are struggling with recurring ingrown toenails, seeking professional help from our experienced podiatrist is crucial. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized care and effective solutions for your foot health concerns.

We will assess your condition, offer tailored treatment options, and provide education on preventive measures to stop the cycle of recurring ingrown toenails. Don’t let ingrown toenails hinder your daily activities—schedule an appointment with us today and take the first step towards pain-free and healthy feet.

Whether it’s a dull ache or a stabbing pain, heel pain is difficult to live with. Every step can feel like torture, which isn’t just painful from a physical perspective—it can affect your mental health, too.

Luckily, you don’t have to live with heel pain in the long term. Although heel pain can seem to come out of nowhere, there are a few common causes of it, along with a few treatment solutions that everyone should explore.

This blog post covers everything you need to know about heel pain, including common causes and the most effective treatment options to try today. If you feel your heel pain has become unmanageable, give us a call at (510) 647-3744 or click here to book an appointment with Dr. Miyazaki, our heel pain specialist, and podiatrist.

How Heel Pain Affects Your Everyday Life

Your heels are not very big, but heel pain can make a big (and negative) impact on your life:

• Walking hurts. You start looking for ways to avoid walking, leading to a sedentary lifestyle.
• Exercise is difficult or impossible. If you can’t walk, it will be difficult or impossible to do any strenuous activity like running. Even non-impact exercises like cycling may be an issue due to the pressure you have to put on your heels.
• Simple daily activities become difficult chores. If you have to get up and walk, you’ll hurt. Period. Heel pain puts a negative twinge on everything you do.

How Does Heel Pain Start?

Heel pain generally starts as a very minor pain, then builds up gradually over time if left untreated. Suddenly, your heel is in immense pain, but you may have no idea what caused it in the first place.

Heel pain can also start as a reaction to a problem in another area of your body. If extra stress is placed on your heel, that extra stress can cause pain, similar to how you can experience back pain if you have additional stress placed on your back.

Why Does Heel Pain Develop?

Heel pain can develop as a response to an injury, such as a sprain. However, most heel pain develops slowly over time.

The main culprits for heel pain have to do with the feet. Using your feet too much, too quickly—for example, running a marathon with no training—may lead to heel pain, even without an acute injury.

Ill-fitting shoes, especially shoes that are too tight, are another major cause of heel pain. Even if the shoes you’re wearing look good, that doesn’t mean they’re healthy from an ergonomic perspective.

Heel pain can also develop indirectly as a result of a specific health condition.

Conditions That May Cause Heel Pain

Any of the following common health conditions can lead to heel pain:

• Plantar fasciitis. When you get plantar fasciitis, a thick band of tissue near your heel becomes inflamed, leading to pain in that area. This condition is very common and so many people will experience plantar fasciitis in their lifetime.
• Heel spurs. Heel Spurs arise as a result of calcium deposits forming on the bottom of your heel. These deposits take a while to build up, meaning pain sets in gradually.
• Arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation in a certain joint, including those near the heel. Arthritis can also lead to heel pain by causing excess pressure to be placed on the heel area due to weakened joints in another area of the body.
• Achilles tendinitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation and irritation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It often causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the back of the leg, just above the heel.

Main Treatment Options For Heel Pain Conditions

There are many different treatment options when it comes to heel pain, mostly because there are many different causes. Not every treatment will help in every heel pain situation, so try different options and see what works for your heel pain.

Treatments You Can Try At Home

It’s worth trying simple solutions for your heel pain first:

• Icing, stretching, massaging, and rest. Heel pain is often able to be cured through traditional pain relief techniques. A combination of icing, stretching, and massaging your heel and surrounding areas, with as much rest as possible, can often alleviate or eliminate symptoms entirely.
• New shoes. Sometimes, treating heel pain is as simple as buying a new pair of shoes. Shoes with high heel drop (where the heel is elevated slightly above the front of the shoe) can transfer pressure to the front of the foot and therefore relieve heel pain.
• Advil and Aleve. For quick relief, an anti-inflammatory over-the-counter (OTC) drug can provide a few hours of comfort. However, these drugs should not be used as a long-term solution, and they only cover up the symptom of pain rather than address the root cause of heel pain.
• Heel inserts. Certain shoe inserts will provide additional cushioning and support to the heel. You can find heel inserts at most pharmacies.

Treatments that Need a Specialist

Some treatments for heel pain can’t be performed at home:

• Diabetic shoes and foot care. Diabetes can lead to various other health problems, including heel pain. If you suffer from both diabetes and heel pain, our specialist will be able to determine if your diabetes is causing your heel pain, then give you solutions to alleviate the problem.
• Custom orthotics. Custom orthotic shoe inserts are specially designed devices that are individually crafted to provide personalized support and alignment for your feet. These inserts are custom-made to fit the unique contours of your feet, helping to alleviate pain, correct biomechanical issues, and improve overall foot function.
• Surgery. Sometimes, heel pain can be treated only through surgery. Our specialist will be able to accurately diagnose the root cause of your heel pain and recommend surgical procedures that can help fix the problem and remove your pain.

When Should You See Us For Heel Pain?

If you’re experiencing heel pain in or around East Bay, CA, you may want to book an appointment with Dr. Yuko Miyazaki if you encounter any of the following problems:

• Your at-home treatments aren’t working. Starting with simple treatments is a good first step, but if you don’t get results, you may need Dr. Miyazaki to either help you get on an at-home treatment plan that works for you in particular or recommend different treatment methods.
• Your heel pain is worsening over time. If heel pain is left untreated, it can cause significant damage to your feet, and surgery may end up being your only option.
• Your heel pain is unbearable. If you’re experiencing significant pain and your life is becoming affected, skip the guesswork of at-home treatments and see Dr. Miyazaki immediately.

Once you contact us and come in for an appointment, we’ll help you figure out the root cause of your heel pain and help you treat it quickly and effectively. Solving your heel pain once and for all is a truly great feeling—give us a call at (510) 647-3744 to book your appointment today.

An athlete’s foot can be an itchy, irritating, and painfully annoying skin condition for you or your child to bear with, but it’s also one you can take steps to overcome.

We have previously focused on what to do when an athlete’s foot infection strikes, but an even more preferable alternative is preventing it in the first place! While we can never guarantee that you may never pick up a case of athlete’s foot by sheer bad luck, there are plenty of easy, common-sense steps you can take to greatly reduce the risk of the fungus taking up residence on your feet.

And most athlete’s foot prevention advice falls neatly into place once you understand exactly how to fight against it.

What Athlete’s Foot Fungus Needs

Have you ever seen the “fire triangle”? It focuses on three things that a fire needs to remain active: oxygen, heat, and a source of fuel. Remove any of those elements and the fire will likely die out.

Similarly, an athlete’s foot also needs several things to thrive: 

• Warmth
• Moisture
• Food (e.g. the old skin cells on your feet)

By taking steps to limit the availability of the above items, the chances of an athlete’s foot being able to take a hold on your feet can significantly drop. It’s really simple!

Protect Your Feet in High-Traffic Areas

If an athlete’s foot fungus thrives in places that have an abundance of warmth, wetness, and bare feet, then certain locations will often carry some risk of transmission. We’re talking about places like gyms, locker rooms, and around public pools.

You never know if someone may be bringing fungus into these areas, so it’s always a smart idea to keep your feet protected against exposure. Footwear can serve as the barrier you need.

The most effective and recommended foot coverings you can use are water shoes or aqua socks, which do a great job of covering the whole of the foot. If you do not have these or are dead set against wearing them, shower shoes or sandals can also provide a lesser amount of protection – they’re better than nothing.

Keep Your Feet Dry

It’s easy for our feet to spend more time around moisture than we think. Not only can we get shoes and socks wet from working in certain environments, but our sweat can provide a more inviting environment for fungus if it consistently remains against the feet as well.

There are a few ways to counter wetness in footwear. The first is choosing socks and shoes that wick moisture away from your feet and allow more circulation of air whenever possible. 

Cotton, while a popular fabric, is unfortunately not very good at keeping moisture away from our skin. Materials such as wool (specifically Merino wool) and synthetics such as nylon and Lycra provide a better job at keeping feet dryer and a less hospitable place for athlete’s foot fungus.

Also, be mindful of how damp your shoes may become after a day of use. Give each pair you wear at least 24 hours of “off-time” to air dry. This will provide more arid conditions that most types of fungus will hate. If you can’t wait 24 hours to put a pair of shoes back on (because you need that one specific pair for work, for example), an electric boot dryer can help you dry out your footwear faster.

Don’t Sweat It

Sometimes our feet can sweat a lot. Perhaps we are working in a hot environment, or maybe our feet are just naturally inclined to sweat more.

Either way, waiting until the end of the day to get out sweat-soaked socks might not cut it. For these instances, it can be helpful to have a fresh pair of socks to switch into halfway through the day. Not only can it help keep your feet dryer, but it can make the rest of your day a lot more comfortable as well.

And if you do feel your feet sweat more than they should, that may be a sign of a treatable condition. Please don’t hesitate to see us about it; we may be able to help!

Keep Your Feet Clean (and Still Dry)

Naturally, following good hygiene for your feet will also help keep athlete’s foot and other fungal infections from maintaining a hold.

Make sure to clean your feet with warm water, a washcloth/loofah, and a mild soap every day. (And no, just standing in the shower and letting soapy runner run down over your feet is not good enough).

After washing your feet, make sure they are gently yet thoroughly dried before slipping on socks and shoes. Don’t forget to get between your toes, as accumulated moisture there can become a haven for fungus.

In addition to keeping your feet clean, make sure your nails are properly trimmed as well. You do not have to cut them dramatically short, but having overly long and unkempt nails provides more areas for fungus to live and spread. This can also help you avoid toenail fungus.

Stay One Step Ahead of Athlete’s Foot

Encouraging good foot care habits in you and your family can help everyone have a much lower chance of contracting not only athlete’s foot but other unwelcome fungal infections as well.

But if you do happen to run into the burning, itching trouble of athlete’s foot and home care is not providing the results you need, we’re always here to provide the professional support you need. Of course, you don’t even have to wait and try home care if the symptoms or severe or you have any other concerns whatsoever!

Schedule an appointment at our Berkley office by giving us a call or by filling out our online contact form.