When preparing for a long hike, paying extra attention to your toenails is essential to prevent painful ingrown nails. Regular trimming is vital. Clip nails straight across to avoid curvature that pushes skin. Keeping nails short reduces friction inside boots and prevents nail edges from embedding into surrounding tissue. Moisturize cuticles daily and use a gentle file to smooth rough edges, ensuring proper alignment and comfort. After trimming, allow nails to dry thoroughly and inspect them for signs of irritation. Proper care and proactive maintenance enable you to enjoy hiking adventures free from discomfort and setbacks, ensuring your feet remain healthy and resilient along every challenging trail. For persistent issues, unusual nail shapes, or ingrown toenails, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist to receive expert advice tailored to your needs.
Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Richard Silverstein of Union Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
Causes
Bacterial infections
Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
Genetic predisposition
Prevention
Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Havre de Grace, MD. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.
A swollen big toe can develop due to several underlying conditions, each leading to discomfort and pain. An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing inflammation and swelling. A toe fracture, which can happen due to trauma or accidents, may also result in swelling as the body reacts to the injury. Bunions are bony growths that develop on the joint at the base of the big toe and can cause the toe to swell and become misaligned. Gout, a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joint, is another common cause of a swollen big toe, often leading to intense pain and redness. If your big toe is swollen or you know you have any of the above foot conditions, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who can offer you appropriate treatment solutions.
Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Richard Silverstein of Union Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Causes Toe Pain?
Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.
Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:
Trauma
Sports injury
Wearing shoes that are too tight
Arthritis
Gout
Corns and calluses
Hammertoe
Bunions
Blisters
Ingrown toenails
Sprains
Fractures (broken bones)
Dislocations
When to See a Podiatrist
Severe pain
Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
Signs of infection
Continued swelling
Pain that prevents walking
Diagnosis
In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Havre de Grace, MD. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Most children are born with flat feet, as their arches develop gradually over time. During early walking stages, walking barefoot helps improve balance, coordination, and posture by allowing natural foot movement. When it is time for shoes, choose soft, flexible soles that mimic barefoot walking and provide enough room for growing toes. Stiff, restrictive shoes can hinder development. Parents should watch for signs of foot problems, including frequent tripping, limping, excessive toe-walking, or one foot turning inward or outward. Persistent pain, swelling, or difficulty keeping up with peers may indicate an underlying issue. While some concerns resolve as children grow, others may require professional evaluation. If something seems off, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can assess your foot development, provide guidance on proper footwear, and address potential problems early.
Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Richard Silverstein of Union Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...
Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.
Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.
Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.
As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.
As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.
Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.
Be watchful for any pain or injury.
Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Havre de Grace, MD. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
