April 2022

Before we highlight the reasons for the pain in your toenail in shoes, we’ll give you a background on what ingrown toenails are so you can understand them better.

Ingrown Toenails occur when the edge or corner tip of your nail pierces into your skin and then begins to grow back into it. It can happen to everyone and is extremely common and can also be quite painful to deal with. When you have an unattended ingrown nail, chances of infections run high, especially if you’re on your toes a lot! When left unattended, these infections can spread into the underlying bone structures of your feet. This is why it’s always best to nip these painful growths in the bud!

Why Do I Feel Pain In My Toenail Due To Shoes?

 Now that you’re up to speed with what ingrown toenails are, here are the reasons you may be experiencing pain in your toenail in shoes:

1. Small, Misshapen or Cramped “Toe Box”:
   The “Toe Box” is where your toes sit in your shoes. No matter what shoes your wear, your toes must always have enough wiggle room to move up and down and even side to side.
   When your shoe’s “toe box” is too narrow, your toes will be rendered immobile from being crammed up together. This allows extra force to be exerted onto your toes; not just from the sides of the shoe, but from the toes rubbing against each other themselves. When your toes are forced into this position often, it can make your nails grow irregularly, and often into the skin (i.e. ingrown toenails).
   If you wear shoes that are a size too small, you’ll feel your toes cram up against the front of your shoe. This is problematic as well. Even more so if you have a habit of cutting your toenails too short.
2. Loose Shoes:
   Shoes that are too loose may slide around on your feet, especially when you’re running or playing sports. As opposed to being crammed in a small space, your toenails slam into the front of your shoes repeatedly.This is not an ideal situation either.This constant friction increases your risk of getting ingrown toenails, and it can also cause toenail trauma. Runners deal with “Black Toenails” a lot due to lose shoes, that cause bleeding under the nails. This can even lead to nails falling off and re-growing wrong.
3. High Heels:
   When you wear high heeled shoes, you exert extra pressure on the front of your feet. The higher your heels, the more weight are put on your toes. Ill-fitting high heels can also push your toes against the front of your shoes, leading to ingrown toenails.
   This of course doesn’t mean you have to throw out all your high-heeled shoes. Though we wouldn’t recommend wearing high heels on the regular, here are a few guidelines you can follow if you do wear heels:

• Try minimizing the amount of time you wear high heels. Maybe save them for just special occasions.
• Make sure your heels are 2 inches and no more than that.
• If you think you’ll be out for a long time, carry an extra pair of comfortable shoes to switch into.
• Try to wear “chunkier” heels like wedges, rather than thin ones like stilettos.
  

What If My Shoes Aren’t The Problem?

 As we mentioned earlier, ill-fitting shoes aren’t the sole cause of ingrown nails, but they are usually the culprit when it comes to recurring ingrown toenails.

If you try following the above guidelines and wearing the right shoes but still find yourself suffering from ingrown toenails, you could be dealing with something else. Here are a few possible suspects:

• The way you cut your nails. Cutting your nails too short, curving them in the corners too much, or leaving them long can lead to ingrown toenails and other issues. When you trim your toenails, make sure to cut straight across, corner to corner, with just a little “overhang.”
• Genetics: Sometimes, people are naturally predisposed to getting ingrown toenails. This usually happens due to unusually curvy nails.

Don’t let this get you down, however! If you have a persisting ingrown toenail problem, we can help you. At Bucks Foot Clinic, our podiatrists will be able to identify the root cause of the problem and find a permanent solution. Depending on the severity of the situation, you may need to undergo a simple surgical procedure to fix your issue. We’d love to help.

Contact us and book an appointment today!

Please call us on  0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us now

Nail infections are a very common issue people deal with. No matter how old you are, you are susceptible to a nail infection if you don’t maintain proper foot hygiene and practice foot care. You can develop a nail infection from a seemingly small problem if you don’t handle it right. For example, if you leave your ingrown toenail symptoms unattended for too long, you run the risk of it getting infected.

There are many factors that could lead to nail infections. As podiatrists, we know the importance of foot care. That’s why we’ve put together this article to help you understand more nail infections and how to identify ingrown toenail symptoms. Read on to learn more.

If you’re showing signs of discolored toenails and other unpleasant symptoms, you may just be dealing with a nail infection. Nail infections tend to commonly be fungal in nature.

A fungal nail infection develops from the overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. It’s common knowledge that fungi thrive in warm and moist environments, so the nails on your feet have ideal conditions for fungi to naturally overpopulate. Most fungal nail infections are caused by the very same fungi that cause “athlete’s foot”, ringworm, and “jock itch”. The rapid overpopulation of fungi that are already present in your body can cause nail infections. Fungal nail infections are quite communicable, so if you’ve come in contact with someone who had a fungal infection, you may have contracted it too. Toenails tend to be affected more than fingernails since they’re usually confined to shoes, which are the ideal breeding grounds for these fungi.

Pedicures at nail salons can also lead to fungal nail infections, which is why you need to make sure the tools are cleaned and disinfected regularly and well. Tools like nail cutters and files can very easily spread fungal nail infections from person to person if they’re not sanitised properly.

What Are Ingrown Toenails?

A very common form of nail infection is an ingrown toenail infection. It’s important to know what an ingrown toenail is so you can treat it properly to avoid it getting infected.

Ingrown Toenails occur when the edge or corner tip of your nail pierces into your skin and then begins to grow back into it. It can happen to everyone and is extremely common and can also be quite painful to deal with. When you have an unattended ingrown nail, chances of infections run high, especially if you’re on your toes a lot! When left unattended, these nail infections can spread into the underlying bone structures of your feet. This is why it’s always best to nip these painful growths in the bud!

How Do Ingrown Toe Nail Infections Form?

The main cause of nail infections like these is negligence. When you have an ingrown nail, it is important to treat it with utmost care so as to not let it get infected. If you notice an ingrown nail, you must treat it so you can prevent infections from spreading into your foot.

You can get ingrown toenails from cutting your toenails too short or keeping them too long, wearing improper footwear, angled nail cutting, toenail injury, and poor foot hygiene.

Sometimes, it’s genetic too. If you have a genetic predisposition to having curved toenails, you are at high risk for ingrowths and infections.

The best way to prevent these infections is to maintain proper foot hygiene, remember to cut your nails straight, wear shoes that fit you comfortably, and check in with your podiatrist if something seems amiss.

Identifying Ingrown Toenail Symptoms

 In order to avoid nail infections like ingrown toenail infections, it’s important to recognize ingrown toenail symptoms in their early stages. This way, you can get the treatment you need at the earliest.

You may be dealing with an ingrown toenail if:

• You have tenderness/pain in your toe on one or both sides of the nail
• The area surrounding your toenail is red
• Your toe swells up around the nail
• You notice infection in the tissue around your nail

If you notice the above symptoms, visit a podiatrist and nip the issue at the bud before negligence turns it into a full-blown nail infection.

 How to Tell If it’s A Nail Infection

 In case you’ve landed on this article too late, and your ingrown toenail looks like it’s infected, but you’re unsure… Here are a few sure-shot symptoms that indicate you’re dealing with a nail infection:

• Swelling
• Pain on touching
• Pressure under the nail
• Hardening / Redness of the skin around the nail
• Bleeding
• Throbbing
• Foul smell
• Oozing fluid / fluid buildup
• Pus or an abscess in the affected toe
• Warmth emanating from the area around the nail

Am I Susceptible To This Nail Infection?

This condition is potentially very painful and can affect pretty much anyone, of all ages. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can lead to other infections that may even spread into the underlying bone structure of your feet.

If you have a condition that reduces the blood flow to your feet, like diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, you’re more likely to suffer from an ingrown toenail. In fact, if you suffer from any of these conditions, your ingrown toenail can turn sour very quickly and lead to severe complications. This is why it’s important to know the symptoms early on and treat them accordingly.

Ingrown toenails are treatable at home, but at-home treatments can lead to complications if not carried out properly and hygienically. These complications will require immediate attention from a podiatrist or medical practitioner.
If you suspect you have a nail infection, or if you’ve identified an ingrown toenail in its early stages, book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic. We can help you kick that nail infection to the curb!

Please call us on  0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us now

It is very common to experience pain in your toenails. Whether it is a pain in your toenail when pressed, or simply a general overall pain in the toenail, you should never ignore it. Pain in the toenail could be a smaller symptom of a much larger issue that requires immediate medical attention. Our podiatrists will be able to take a look at your aching toenail and diagnose the root cause of the issue and treat it accordingly.

You must never ignore any pain you feel, especially if you experience pain in your toenail when pressed. It could be a sign of an infection. You must always practice proper foot care and make regular visits to the podiatrist to help prevent serious illnesses. Especially if you have diabetes and other circulatory problems, a simple pain in your toenail could lead to a nasty infection, and when ignored for too long, could even result in amputation.

We’ve put together this article to help you understand the common causes of pain in toenails. Read on to learn more.

Here are a few possible reasons for the pain in your toenail:

1. Paronychia

Paronychia is an infection that affects the skin around your nails. Though it usually affects your fingernails, it can also affect your toenails.

You are at an increased risk of developing paronychia if you suffer from trauma to your toenail or have an untreated ingrown toenail. These issues make it very easy for bacteria to enter your system and give you an infection.

Often a simple foot soak can help ease pain and swelling. If even after frequent foot soaks your symptoms worsen, if you see pus or infection, or if you suffer from any immune system issues like diabetes, you would have to see your physician and get the infection drained.

With paronychia, you have to be on the lookout for any signs of cellulites. These signs could include pain, redness, and warmth of the cellulite-laden skin. These symptoms could present a serious bacterial infection, communicable to the surrounding tissue. If these symptoms do occur, see your physician immediately and be prepared for antibiotics.

With the increased severity of cellulites, you might see red streaks on your legs, fever, and nausea. If this does happen, you should get immediate medical care.

Symptoms:

• Pain in toenail
• Warmth in skin and redness
• Swollen toe
• Pus
• Chills
• Fever
• Nausea

2. Toenail Trauma

Toenail trauma can occur when you drop something heavy on your foot, fall, stub your toe, or even wear shoes that don’t fit you right. You could also experience toenail trauma from exercising.

You’ll experience minor bruising, but it’ll go away on its own. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes to allow your feet to heal and ease the pain.

If your pain is severe, however, visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to drain the blood out from under the affected nail. Never do this at home, because it could lead to a severe infection.

In some instances of toenail trauma, your toenail may just fall off entirely. The nail will regrow within the next few months. In case this occurs, make sure you keep your toe dry and clean at all times. Wear shoes to protect the sensitive area that is normally covered by the nail. Avoid shoes that put pressure on your toes.

You can take over the counter pain relievers to deal with the pain. Make sure to keep your foot elevated, because this helps decrease the swelling in your feet and toes.

If you still suffer from pain and there’s discolouration, or if you notice a dark area of “growth” under the infected nail, see a doctor immediately to rule out tumors.

Symptoms:

• Reddish-black bruise under your nail
• Pressure under your nail
• Pain in toenail
• Visible and distinct separation from skin and nail

3. Hangnail

Though they are called “Hangnails”, they are not actually nails. Hangnails are actually small bits of skin that peel off the corner of your nail. They’re very common and can lead to pain in your toenail. They’re more common on fingernails but can also affect your toes. Some common causes are:

• Soaps that irritate your skin
• Cold climate
• Nail-biting (for fingers)
• Dry skin

It’s important to remember that you should never rip off a hangnail, as it can lead to infection. Hangnails may also bleed in some cases.

4. Fungal Infection:

Fungal infections can affect your toenails or the skin on your feet and toes. When they affect your toenails, it’s called Onychomycosis. When it affects your skin, it could be athlete’s foot.

Onychomycosis can discolour and thicken your toenail. You may also experience pain, specifically when pressure is applied to your nail while wearing shoes.

You can usually treat this condition with medicated nail polish, which is available at most pharmacies near you. If you notice your symptoms get worse or do not go away, visit a podiatrist and they’ll be able to find the right antifungal medicine for you!

Symptoms:

• Discolouration and thickening of the nail
• Pain in toenail
• Nail splitting
• Itchy or painful feet or toes
• Skin peeling between your toes
• Redness

5. Pain in Toenail When Pressed? It Could Be An Ingrown Toenail!

The most common cause behind pain in toenail when pressed is Ingrown Toenails. An ingrown toenail happens when the skin that surrounds your nail grows over the tip. When you cut your toenails shorter than you need to, or if you wear shoes that are too tight, you make yourself susceptible to ingrown toenails. When untreated, an ingrown toenail can be very uncomfortable and can also lead to infections like paronychia.

If your ingrown toenail is not significantly bad and doesn’t show signs of infection (like drainage and warmth), it can be treated at home. Soak your feet in warm water multiple times a day, this will help you with the tenderness and redness.

To give yourself relief when you have an ingrown toenail, take over the counter medicines for the pain and make sure to wear shoes that fit you well, i.e. don’t pinch your toes. This will allow your nail to heal as well.

If at-home treatments don’t help you, visit a podiatrist. They’ll be able to trim or partially remove the affected nail. If you notice your simple ingrown nail is worsening, visit a podiatrist immediately. You’ll know it’s worse if you notice pus, an unpleasant smell, and discharge.

If you have a condition like diabetes, visit a doctor or podiatrist as soon as you notice an infected ingrown toenail. You’re at high risk of developing a severe infection.

Symptoms:

• Pain in toenail and skin surrounding it
• Redness around nail
• Fluid-filled bump on edge of your nail bed

Conclusion

Now that you know some of the common reasons people get pain in their toenails, you’ll be able to identify and treat the pain in your toenail properly. Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best podiatric treatment in town.

Please call us on  0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us now

As well-renowned podiatrists, we see a varying array of foot problems every day. Among the most common is “Corns”. These are very simple issues, but if not treated well, can turn sour very quickly. Much like most health issues, it is important to know more about corns and how to identify them, so you can give them the correct treatment.

That’s why we’ve put together this article. This article will answer simple questions like “what’s a corn?” and “Are you likely to get one?”, and even delve into deeper topics like their symptoms and how to treat a corns.

Read on to learn more!

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “what’s a corn?” we’ll clear that doubt up for you.

Corns are usually classified alongside calluses, as they are usually similar in nature. The major difference is that corns tend to be painful in comparison to calluses. Corns and calluses are usually hard buildups of thick skin. They can form pretty much anywhere on your body but are most commonly spotted on your feet, fingers, and hands.

How Are Corns Formed?

Corns and calluses are usually the results of repeated friction, irritation, pressure, or rubbing on the skin. They are usually seen on prominent and bony areas of your body, like your feet and fingers. On the fingers, they form where there is constant friction on the skin. For example, when you hold a pencil or pen and write for a long time.

Corns and calluses tend to be hard as this is your body’s defense to protect the underlying area of skin from constant pressure and irritation.

Here are a few examples of reasons people usually develop corns:

• Deformities in the structure of your feet. E.g. Hammertoes, bunions, and arthritis in feet.
• Wearing socks that bunch up or slip around.
• Not wearing socks with shoes.
• Walking around barefoot on hard surfaces.
• Wearing ill-fitting shoes, especially shoes that tend to be too narrow for your feet. When your shoes are too tight, it creates pressure on your toes from friction. This can lead to the development of corns and calluses. People who tend to wear high-heeled shoes a lot can also develop corns and calluses on the balls of their feet due to the pressure created while moving.
• Staying on your feet for long periods of time, such as running, walking, or standing.
• Activities that tend to put pressure on your feet, especially labor and sports activities.
• Improper posture while walking; can put excess pressure on the outer or inner edge of your feet.
• Activities that cause constant friction on your feet and fingers.

If you do any of the above on a regular basis, you are highly likely to develop corns and calluses.

How Do You Know If You Have A Corn?

Corns are rather distinct, so if you think you may have corn, here are the symptoms to look out for. You can identify corn on your foot if:

1. You have a hard bump on your skin, which is surrounded by a dry patch of skin
2. You have a tender and raised lump on your skin, that is painful to pressure

Corns are often confused with calluses. The main difference between corns and calluses is that corns are painful, while calluses are normally not painful. Corns have a central core that acts as a pressure point, which is the sensitive part the corn is protecting. So, when pressure is applied, corns tend to hurt.

Are You Likely To Get Corns?

Corns and calluses can affect pretty much anyone. You are more likely to get corn if:

• The bones in your feet are misaligned due to a medical condition. E.g. in the case of bone spurs, hammertoes, bunions, and arthritis in the feet.
• You don’t wear socks with shoes.
• You don’t practice proper foot hygiene, or wear footwear that is not suited to your feet.
• You smoke cigarettes.

How to Treat Corns

 Now that you’ve found the answer to the question, “what’s a corn?” and learned a little bit about corns, we can finally give you some insight on how to treat a corns.

If it isn’t infected, here’s how to treat corn at home:

• Soak your feet in warm water to soften the corns
• Use a foot file/pumice stone to gently rub and file away the hardened skin
• Moisturise the area to keep the skin soft
• Make sure to keep the area clean and moisturised, and wear cushioned socks with wide and comfortable shoes to avoid constant friction

It is always best to visit a podiatrist if you are unsure of how to treat corn at home, especially if you have diabetes or any other circulation-related issues. Here’s how a podiatrist can help you:

• We’ll take a look at your corn first to identify it
• We may prescribe antibiotics if it is infected
• To remove the corn, we will slowly and gently cut it away
• We will give you patches to help soften the area for removal
• We can also prescribe you special soft pads to wear with shoes to take the pressure off the area.

You’ll be happy to know that there are a few considerably painless methods a podiatrist will use to treat your corn. Here they are:

• Trimming: Your podiatrist will most likely remove your corn by trimming it down using a tool. You can try doing this at home by soaking your feet for around 20 minutes in order to make the skin soft. Then, go ahead and gently scrape away at the rough skin using a pumice stone.
• Chemical: This type of corn treatment for the foot is similar to trimming, but uses chemical products instead to slowly dissolve the affected skin. A common product used is salicylic acid, which dissolves keratin (what dead skin is made of).
• Toe Protection / Footpads: Though not really a form of treatment, it’s worth mentioning. Using foot pads can help ease the discomfort significantly. You can also use toe splints to prevent your toes from creating friction with each other.

Conclusion

 We hope this article helped answer your questions surrounding what corns are and how to treat corns. If you think you have corn, but it isn’t getting better over time, it may be time to visit a Podiatrist. Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best podiatric treatment in town!

Please call us on  0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us now