Why do I get Hot Feet at Night?

The feet are the most peripheral parts of the human body, distant from the center of the circulatory system (the heart) and the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Nerves and blood vessels need to travel a long way towards the feet area, and that is why the changes in these and other organ systems can be noticed in the feet region first. Hot feet and the sensation of continuous or intermittent warmth in the feet area is a very common complaint in every doctor’s office, and it can be associated with several different causes. They are ranging from very mild disorders to very severe diseases affecting multiple organs and organ systems. Here are some of the most important things you should know about hot feet.

Causes of Hot Feet

Diabetes

Sensations of hotness in the feet area often appear in persons suffering from disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system, such as diabetes mellitus. Basically, due to lack of insulin (type 1) or decreased sensitivity of insulin receptors to insulin (type 2), the glucose remains in the blood, while the cells remain “hungry”. In this way, diabetes causes peripheral neuropathy, which is usually first manifested in the feet as warm sensations, numbness, tingling, or other strange sensations which suggest some disruption in the innervation.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by a spiral bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi which also attacks the human nervous system and it is transmitted by ticks. During the third stage of this disease, the indicators of some level of neural damage, such as hot feet are very likely to appear. Lyme disease is a very severe disorder if it reaches the third stage. During the first and the second stage, it is completely curable.

Alcoholic neuropathy

Long-term alcohol abuse can cause a disorder called alcoholic neuropathy. It is another disorder affecting the most peripheral part of the body first – the feet. Ethanol is a small molecule which easily passes through all barriers, including the nerve tissue, so the alcoholics are in a great danger of producing permanent damage to their central and peripheral nervous system.

All of these disorders related to neural damage can be very irritating and disabling. Experiencing hot feet before going to sleep can prevent a person from a good night rest which is necessary for daily activities. Additionally, the vicious circle which starts with the underlying disorder is further propagated by the lack of sleep. Variations in body temperature during some infectious diseases can cause hot feet at night.

High Blood Pressure

Long term high blood pressure causes the aggravation of the atherosclerotic process in the blood vessels. Small blood vessels in the feet are also affected and that can cause various sensations, including hot feet.

Other Causes

Other possible causes of hot feet are related to the pressure applied to the feet area. Of course, running, especially in overweight persons can result in the inflammation of the heels and even foot joints. In obese individuals, these symptoms can be noticed even after waking. Hot feet during pregnancy appear for the same reason and the additional swelling of the feet, which can occur in some pregnant women. One of the most common autoimmune diseases called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus often affects the hands and feet, causing all kinds of different sensations on the skin surface.

Symptoms of Hot Feet

When assessing the symptoms related to feet, such as hot feet, it is necessary to take into account all the other associated symptoms which can altogether help to make the right diagnosis. For example, persons with diabetes will certainly have other symptoms for months or even years before developing hot feet. These symptoms include excessive hunger, thirst, frequent urination, and chronic fatigue. It is important to mention that if diabetes is properly managed, there will be no such symptoms or consequences.

An interesting thing about the Lyme disease is that it does not produce too many symptoms until it reaches the advanced stage. Peripheral neuropathy can be recognized by the vegetative changes in lower legs and feet, such as redness of the skin, and hair loss. Pain can accompany these symptoms, but not necessarily, while tingling, numbness, and irritation are almost always present.

Persons who experience peripheral neuropathy for any of the above reasons can also have an issue with mechanical damages of the feet as their perception of pain is not adequate. To better understand this, take the fact that persons with advanced unmanaged diabetes often feel no pain, even during heart attack!

Alcohol abuse produces a broad range of symptoms, but the symptoms related to neurological damage, such as hot feet, often appear while trying to withdraw from alcohol without professional help. This is a mistake many alcoholics make, and besides localized neurological symptoms, they can even experience epileptic attacks.

If besides hot feet you also experience frequent headaches, tinnitus, nervousness, and insomnia, you should check your blood pressure. Increased blood pressure can cause all these symptoms. Hot feet will rarely be the only symptom of this chronic disorder. Persons with the advanced stage of atherosclerosis will also feel the pain during physical activity in the lower legs and feet due to lack of blood flow. This phenomenon is called intermittent claudication.

Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus produce a broad range of symptoms coming from many organs, but they very commonly affect the feet and hands. In fact, this is one of the disorders where hot feet, pain, or swelling in the feet area can be a first sign of the disease.

Hot flushes are very common during menopause and perimenopausal period, and in some women, they can be localized to the feet area.

If your hot feet issues are associated with taking certain food and upset stomach, you should consult your doctor in order to investigate possible food allergy or sensitivity to gluten. Gluten enteropathy is often associated with subtle neurological symptoms, such as weird sensations in the feet area.

Treatment for Hot Feet

As you can see, hot feet have a very wide spectrum of causes, so the treatment will also depend on the specific cause. The underlying chronic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be kept under control using the appropriate medication. For autoimmune disorders, corticosteroids are commonly used. Lyme disease is treated with the appropriate antibiotics.

Home Remedies

• There are some home remedies which can be used for less severe causes of hot feet, such as hormonal imbalance during menopause and superficial mechanical injuries. For women with mild menopausal symptoms, mastering yoga relaxation techniques can be very beneficial. Yoga is also helpful for stress release, and it is recommended in persons with high blood pressure and autoimmune diseases.
• If you know that your hot feet issue stem from some mechanical cause, try to avoid running and applying of any excessive weight to your feet until the symptoms subside. Soak your feet after running in water solution of sea salt in order to improve healing.
• If you have some form of foot deformity which contributes to your symptoms, you can try walking outside barefoot during summer or doing some simple exercises to strengthen your muscles and tendons and avoid the reoccurrence of the symptoms.

Have you recently noticed an unusual swelling on the inside of the soles of your feet? Is the swelling so thick that it is beginning to give you some concerns? What you have could be plantar fibroma (Plantar Fibromatosis). This condition hardly gives you any pain, but the fact that the swelling and the thickening are cosmetically challenging is enough to give you sleepless nights. However, we want to assure you that there is a solution to your condition.

Plantar fascial fibromatosis otherwise known as Ledderhose’s disease is quite uncommon, though is common in some families, and has a higher incidence among males, diabetic patients, cigarette smokers, alcoholics, and people with liver and thyroid problems.

What is Plantar Fibroma?

Plantar Fibroma is a non-malignant thickening of the deep connective tissues or fascia of the feet. The disease is a minor and an uncommon condition which begins with the development of nodules and cords along the tendons of the foot. But with time, there is a thickening of the cords, stiffening and bending of the toes, and pain while walking.

Plantar Fibroma (Ledderhose’s disease) is named after the German surgeon, Dr. Georg Ledderhose, who was the first to describe the condition in 1896. The nodules are quite slow in growing and are usually located in the media and central portions of the plantar fascia. The condition is usually benign (self-limiting), and the onset could differ with different patients. In some cases, the fibroma remains dormant for several months or years, and then suddenly begins to grow rapidly.

Symptoms of Plantar Fibroma

Plantar Fibroma comes with some recognizable signs and symptoms. These symptoms vary from person to person. While there is pain in some persons, it is completely painless in others. Here are a few symptoms you should familiarize yourself with.

• Lump in the medial portion of the sole
• Painless lump
• No contractures at the early stage
• Freely movable overlying skin
• 25% of patients are symptomatic on both feet (Bilateral growth)

Causes of Plantar Fibromatosis

Some causes of this problem have been identified, and they include the following:

• Trauma: Trauma is one of the causes for the formation of plantar fibroma. Though the mode of formation is not completely clear, it is suggested that injury to the plantar fascia leads to excessive formation of connective tissues as the injury tries to heal itself. The abnormal multiplication of the connective tissues gives rise to the condition.
• Some medications: Certain medications that are taken for other conditions increase the likelihood of plantar fibroma formation, especially if you have already been exposed to any form of injury to the plantar fascia. Some of those medications include anti-seizure drugs and beta-blockers.
• Improper footwear: Footwear with high heels and toe springs overstretch the plantar fascia thereby causing some weakness in the tissue. Plantar fibroma may result from loss of plantar fascia integrity, point pressure from high-heeled shoes, and imbalances in foot structure.
• Certain health conditions: Some health conditions are known to predispose one to plantar fibromatosis. Some of them include epilepsy, thyroid problems, liver disease, and diabetes. People with these health challenges are prone to developing plantar fibroma, though the exact pathophysiology is not well understood.
• Alcoholism: This has also been implicated as one of the causes or predisposing factors to plantar fibromatosis.
• Genetic factors: Just like some genetically-linked diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, this condition is common in some families.
• Other factors: Other factors like gender and age have also been suggested as possible causes of the condition.

How to treat Plantar Fibroma?

The treatment of plantar fibromatosis includes conservative and surgical management. Some of the conservative treatments (without the use of surgery) include:

• Change footwear: It is better to change your footwear to something that will distribute your body weight fairly across your joints and foot bones, thereby reducing the pressure on the plantar fascia. In order to have the weight well distributed, it is better to use shoes with a flat sole.
• Use a Toe spacer: This will help to spread the weight of the body across the joint and foot bones.
• Stretching exercises: This is quite helpful. But care must be taken in order not to overstretch the fascia, which may lead to a further damage and provocation or more inflammation and growth.
• Drug therapy: The use of anti-inflammatory medications such as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) would go a long way in helping to reduce the pain and further inflammation of the affected area. Some of those NSAIDs include Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Aspirin, and Piroxicam. But they must not be taken for a long period because of the possibility of developing peptic ulcer.

Surgical treatment

Surgery is usually the last resort when other conservative managements fail to resolve the problem. The surgery is a bit difficult as a result of the proximity of muscles, tendons, and nerves to one another. If it is well performed by an experienced podiatrist, surgery can help in taking care of this problem. However, in some cases, it is difficult to define the boundaries of the growing tissues, which usually leads to the surgeon leaving out a portion of the diseased tissue after undertaking the surgery. If there is inadequate excision, the likelihood of a recurrence becomes a bit higher.

Radiotherapy may be administered post-operatively in order to help prevent recurrence. This has worked in a number of cases. The administration of gadolinium as well as skin grafting has also produced positive results for sufferers.

Conclusion

You have understood that the condition you are suffering from is plantar fibroma. You also understand the symptoms of the condition. You need to know that taking no action and waiting for the pain and swelling to go away spontaneously may not help. It is time to take the bulls by the horns by following the conservative treatments we have outlined above. But whereby the conservative management fails, you should consult a podiatrist for a possible foot surgery to permanently take care of the problem. This would obviously give you a rest of mind and stop your pain.

Pictures

Take a look at some of the Pictures of plantar fibroma:

What is Blue Toe Syndrome?

Blue toe syndrome or gray toe syndrome or purple toe syndrome refers to discoloration of the toenails, causing them to take on a blue hue or a colour that closely resembles blue. The blue-ish discoloration is often a result of tissue death, following impaired circulation. It may affect one toe or many toes. However, blue toe nails are not exclusively found in blue toe syndrome and thus, they may be an indicator of other conditions. It is important to note that the presence of blue toe nails whose cause can be attributed to other diseases, trauma or extremely cold weather, rules out the possibility of blue toe syndrome.

Symptoms

Blue toe syndrome commonly affects the elderly population, with a small prevalence in those who are under the age of fifty years. Its symptoms include:

• Blue toes: These are also called cyanotic toes. The discoloration is usually very rapid.
• Presence of foot pulses: This is a bit of a paradox since an absent pulse represents compromised circulation. However, the presence of foot pulses in a person with blue toe nails does not rule out a vascular cause of the syndrome.
• Pain: The blue-ish discoloration is often accompanied by excruciating pain. This pain may be felt only in the foot, or even in parts above the foot.
• Skin discoloration: Blue toe syndrome may also present with discoloration of the skin, often in a lace-like pattern.
• Swelling: There may be swelling of the toes and feet. This is often mild, but can be severe.

What Causes Blue Toe Syndrome?

There are several causes of blue toe syndrome. All these causes work through either one of the following three mechanisms:

• Decreased flow of blood into the tissues of the foot
• Reduced flow of blood from the tissues of the foot
• Presence of abnormalities in the blood circulation.

The end product of any of the above mechanisms is reduced delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the foot, so that there is increased tissue death and destruction. The blue color of the nails is often due to reduced delivery of oxygen and tissue death. The causes include:

Occlusion of the arteries or veins around the foot due to an embolus

An embolus refers to an abnormal or foreign material that flows through the blood vessels and may lodge in one of the vessels. In the case of blue toe syndrome, the most common emboli are atheromatous plaques. These are plaques formed through deposition of fat along the blood vessel wall. These plaques may dislodge and travel through the bloodstream as emboli. This may result in blockage of the vessels affected, preventing flow of blood through the arteries, or outflow of blood through the veins.

Aneurysms

An aneurysm refers to the presence of an out pouching along the vessel wall. This develops particularly at an area of weakness on the wall of a blood vessel. Aneurysms are at increased risk of rupture. Aneurysms usually represent a problem in circulation of blood. Moreover, due to the pooling of blood at the area of the out-pouching, there may be reduced blood flow into or out of the foot.

Cardiovascular manipulations

This is mostly tied to the presence of emboli. In people, especially the elderly, any manipulation of the heart or blood vessels may result in dislodging of an emboli and consequently blocking blood vessels.

Other causes include:

• Treatment using anticoagulants or thrombolytic medications. This is usually a common cause of relapse in people who had been successfully treated for blue toe nails.
• Secondary syphilis
• Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
• Infections – These are most often associated with recent childbirth or surgery.
• Pheochromocytoma
• Pancreatitis

Diagnosis

Blue toe syndrome is often incorrectly diagnosed owing to the fact that the discoloration seen in this condition may be present in many other conditions. Additionally, the change in the color of toes and the toenails may be a result of trauma. The presence of the pulses of the foot makes it even harder to make a correct diagnosis.

A doctor should take a complete and thorough history to identify if there are any factors that can rule out the blue toe syndrome. For example, they may explore trauma as a cause, but in the absence of trauma look for pointers to other conditions that cause cyanotic toes. Following the history taking process, the doctor should then proceed to examine the affected toe. To aid the diagnostic process, several tests and procedures may be done. These include, CT scans and ultrasound, full thickness skin biopsy (this is done particularly for those who have skin discoloration) and vascular assessment. Diagnosis aims to find the underlying cause of the blue toe syndrome. This enables a directed treatment as some of the causes are treated through surgery and others show improvement without surgical intervention.

Pictures

Pictures of Blue Toe Syndrome:

Treatment

As stated above, some causes of blue toe syndrome require surgery while others can be treated using medication. One of the causes for which surgery is recommended is aneurysms. Surgeries can also be done to prevent dislodging of atheromatous plaques or to remove the embolized plaques, although this is often not recommended. The specific surgeries performed in blue toe syndrome include bypass surgery which involves developing a shunt that connects the two normal parts of the blood vessel thereby by-passing the abnormal part, and endarterectomy which involves removal of atheromatous plaques or emboli.

Medical treatment is quite often in the form of what can be loosely termed as home remedies. These include getting enough rest, taking enough water, keeping warm, and in some cases it may involve taking medication. This is often recommended in the case of blood vessel occlusion due to embolization. Medication includes pain medication to alleviate the pain. It also includes use of anticoagulant drugs, for example aspirin-which also serves as a pain medication. Corticosteroids may also be used in the case of embolization. Medical treatment may also come in handy in the treatment of underlying conditions which may result in blue toe syndrome including pancreatitis and syphilis.

What Does Webbed Toes Mean?

Webbed toes refer to feet whose toes have tissue in between them, and are medically termed as syndactyly or zygodactyly. Although several animals (like ducks) have webbed feet as part of their normal anatomy, in humans; it is a birth defect. The tissue between the toes is often skin, although in more severe cases, there may be involvement of bones and tendons. Webbed feet usually result from incomplete separation of adjacent toes during development, retaining the embryological form of toes.

Webbed toes may be of several types. They may be cutaneous or they may be bony. This has already been alluded to. Cutaneous webbed feet are frequently referred to as ‘simple webbed feet’. These involve only the skin between two toes. Bony webbed feet are one of the forms of complex webbed feet. Complex webbed feet involve other tissues, like bones, blood vessels and even nerves. They may be partial – where the webbing between the digits covers only a part of the space between the adjacent digits or complete – where the webbing between the digits covers the entire area between the adjacent digits. They may be unilateral or bilateral, meaning they can affect one foot or be present in both feet. If bilateral, they can be symmetrical. For example, webbing between the first two toes in each foot. They can also be asymmetrical; for instance, webbing between the first two digits in the left foot and between the second and the third digits in the right foot. Webbed feet can be extremely mild where there may be no apparent webbing on visual inspection, but there may be noticeable changes in the creases of the toes.

Causes of Webbed Toes

The exact cause of webbed toes is unknown, and it appears to occur randomly without any obvious predisposing factors. It may occur in a healthy child without any family history of webbed feet. The most common factor associated with webbed toes is genetic predisposition with numerous demonstrations of the fact that webbed feet tend to run in families. There are certain patterns of inheritance associated with webbed feet. Taking the example of a family where a mother has webbed feet but the father doesn’t, these patterns of inheritance can be scientifically explained. The most common one being autosomal dominant inheritance, which means that with a mother who has webbed feet and a father who doesn’t; the child will have a high chance of developing webbed feet since the gene inherited from the mother will tend to be expressed regardless of the gene inherited from the father. Another rarer inheritance pattern is autosomal recessive inheritance, whereby the child will only develop webbed feet if he or she receives the involved genes from both parents. Webbed feet are also linked with an X-linked recessive inheritance. This is mostly transmitted to males either from a male who has the genes for webbed feet or a female born of a male with genes for webbed feet. Those individuals who possess these genes are more likely to experience an abnormality in the developmental processes that result in absent or insufficient separation of the toes.

Webbed toes may also be more common among people who suffer from certain diseases that result in abnormal growth, including that of hands and feet. These include Down’s syndrome – which is a genetic disorder and Apert’s syndrome – another genetic disorder that results in abnormal fusion of the bones of the skull. Certain types of autism may also present with syndactyly. Other diseases which may cause one to develop syndactyly include acromegaly (also known as gigantism) and Aarskog syndrome which is quite rare.

Adults may develop webbed toes if their feet are burnt during a fire. The scar tissue formed as a result of the burns sustained, may result in webbing of the toes as the scar causes fusion of the skin of the toes.

Can Webbed Toes be Separated?

Webbed toes can be separated. While the majority of cases of webbed feet only pose an aesthetic challenge, there may be functional challenges associated with severe forms. For example, one may be unable to play certain sports as well as other people. In either of these cases, one may seek to have their webbed toes separated. This is mostly done through surgery as discussed later. Separation of webbed feet allows one to have full functionality of all their digits. It also helps with any psychological trauma or aesthetic problems that one may have. As this is a condition which may be present at birth in most cases, it is possible to have separation done a few weeks after the child is born to ensure that complications are minimized or eliminated. There is great debate and divergence of opinion concerning the exact time that the affected child is required to undergo the surgery. Current practice, however, is that the precise time between birth and surgery is directed by the primary physician of the affected child.

Diagnosis of Webbed Toes

Prenatal diagnosis

Diagnosis can be done in the period before a child is born. Prenatal diagnosis can be done during regular, routine prenatal clinics or if the doctor or the parents suspect there may be something wrong with the baby. A doctor who is aware of any family history of the conditions named above that may cause webbed feet, would ideally have a high index of suspicion. Moreover, people with a history of development of webbed feet in their families may request that the doctor check for these. However, as previously noted, webbed feet can occur in any child as the particular cause is often unclear. The doctor may be able to identify webbed feet from ultrasound scans.

Postnatal diagnosis

Diagnosis made after the child is born is mostly based on physical examination done by the doctor. The doctor inspects the toes and fingers to check for or confirm presence of webbing. If webbed feet are present, the doctor then has to do a more thorough examination to check for other signs and symptoms that may point to the infant having certain syndromes including those mentioned above. The doctor may also use other diagnostic tools including plain radiographs. These images may be required to demonstrate possible involvement of bones in the webbed feet.

How to Treat Webbed Toes?

In most cases of mild partial webbed feet, there is often no need for treatment. This is due to the fact that webbed feet do not usually affect the learning of activities requiring the use of feet. In mild cases, there is often no interference with walking or sporting activities. Some people actually live for many years without feeling bothered by their webbed feet and, therefore, they do not do much about them. However, in more severe cases, surgery may be required.

Surgery

Surgery makes a significant difference offering both physical and psychological relief. The complexity of the surgeries performed depends on the severity of the cases. Also, depending on the number of toes affected, there may be need for multiple surgeries. The surgery cost is covered by several insurance policies. As most webbed toes involve only the skin, the surgery done is simple and uncomplicated. This involves cutting the skin, usually in a zigzag manner and then reattaching the skin on the now separated toes. Often, these surgeries require grafting of skin, that is, taking skin from a different part of the body and placing it on the toes. In cases where skin, bones and tendons are involved, the surgeries done are more complex and more than one surgery may be required to correct the defect. Normal growth ensues after the surgery barring any complications. Surgeries are also done for adults who developed webbed feet following a fire.

Complications

Despite the overwhelming benefits of surgery, there are possible complications that may result from these surgeries. Surgery is associated with the risk of hemorrhage (loss of blood) and adverse reactions to anaesthesia. Other complications unique to these corrective surgeries for webbed feet include:

• Scarring: This may be unsightly and may be counterproductive especially if the reason for surgery was to achieve aesthetic improvements.
• Tissue death: Due to the requirement of skin grafts, there may be reduced blood supply to the introduced skin. This may also be the case in complicated cases where blood vessels are affected. Surgery may result in disrupted blood flow. This may result in tissue death, with a worst case scenario of digit amputation or spread of infection to healthy tissue.
• Recurrence: It is possible for skin to grow back after surgery. This would require further surgery. Altered appearance of the foot. Following surgery, the foot may take on a different appearance. This may be due to the reduced blood supply, the presence of scar tissue or the presence of additional skin.

A cast may be required to allow for proper healing and recovery of the treated foot. A splint may or may not be used after the cast is removed. Following surgery and proper recovery, there may be occupational therapy and physical therapy provided to enable the child or adult function properly with the post-surgery toes.

Pictures

Pictures of webbed toes:

Why do I have white toenails? Your nails, which are made up of a protein called keratin, serve the purpose of protecting certain areas of your hands and toes from severe injuries. A healthy nail should ideally be faint pink in color, due to flow of blood underneath the nail bed. However, you may sometimes see some white spots or discoloration on your nails. This condition (medically called as leukonychia) is more commonly seen in the fingernails than in toenails. Some people believe that white toenails are caused due to deficiency or lack in calcium. However, white toenails may be caused due to other reasons like fungal infections or side effects to some medications.

Symptoms of White Toenails

You may see white spots or bands on your toenails. In some cases, you may notice that your toenail has completely turned white. Sometimes white toenails may be seen along with dark edges of the nails.

What are the Causes of White Toenails?

White toenail in most cases does not indicate any serious medical conditions. It may occur as a result of injury or fungal infection. You may see appearance of white spots on your toenails and in some cases, complete discoloration may be seen. The most common reasons for white toenails are:

Fungal infections

Discoloration of toenails in most cases is caused due to fungal infections. Your toenails are especially open to fungal infections as the moist environment surrounding it is suitable for the growth of fungus. In case of fungal infections, your toenails may start thickening and turn white in color. Wearing tight shoes and sweaty socks makes you more prone to fungal infections.

Injuries

Yet another common reason for toenails turning white is injury or trauma to the nail. Your toenails are prone to injuries as it has to bear the brunt of your daily activities. You may see a white spot if your toenail is chipped. If you have injured your nail during nail growth, you may see white spots or marks at the site of injury which will move upwards as the nail grows out. Mostly, in cases of injuries you will only see white spots or patches. If your toenails have turned completely white, it is more likely to be due to a fungal infection. However, it is important to bear in mind that injuries may lead to fungal infections.

Chemicals and medicines

Sometimes your toenails may appear white due to the damage caused to them by excessive use of chemicals like nail polish removers and nail polish. They contain solvents such as acetone and toluene which may cause drying out of your toenails, thereby damaging them. Chemicals such as arsenic may also make your toenail turn white due to a toxic reaction. Anti-cancer drugs and chemotherapy may also lead to formation of white bands on your toes.

Liver disease

Though a very rare possibility, toenails turning white may indicate chronic liver disease. You may experience yellowing of skin, vomiting or abdominal pain along with whitening of toenails at later stages of chronic liver disease. If you experience these symptoms, you should visit your doctor immediately.

Terry’s nails

White toenails with dark or red tips are known as Terry’s nails. Terry’s nails may be caused due to diabetes, liver cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, anaemia or as a side effect of chemotherapy.

Nutritional deficiency

Vitamin or mineral deficiency may lead to appearance of white spots or bands on toenails. Women are mostly prone to this condition due to lack in calcium. Deficiency in zinc, which plays an important role in the immune system, may also lead to appearance of white spots on toenails.

How Can I Treat White Toenails?

• If your toenails have turned white due to fungal infection, you may use topical antifungal medicine. However, in severe cases, you may have to take a combination of oral antifungal medicines along with the topical ointment. In some cases, you may have to get the infected toenail removed to clear off the fungal infection.
• If your toenails are turning white due to injury, it is best to take precautions to prevent further damage and allow healthy nail to replace the injured one.
• If you have white toenails due to liver disease or some other underlying medical condition, you should visit your doctor to treat the disease.
• Take zinc and calcium supplements if you are suffering from deficiency in these minerals.
• White toenails due to chemicals and drugs can be reversed once the toxins are removed out of the body. However, do not discontinue the use of any medication even if it causes your toenails to turn white. You should consult your doctor if you think you have white toenails as a side effect of your medication.

Home Remedies

You may try the following home remedies to get rid of the white discoloration on your toenails:

Soak your feet in warm water

You can soak your feet for 15- 20 minutes in warm water containing antibacterial mouthwash, Epsom salt or vinegar. This is particularly useful if your toenails have turned white due to fungal growth. You should then pat your feet dry and apply a topical antifungal ointment.

Apply tea tree oil or orange oil

Tea tree oil is known to have antibacterial activity. It may also help in reducing the white discoloration on your toenails. You can mix a few drops of olive oil with tea tree oil or orange oil and apply in on the affected toenails. Leave it on the toenails for 15-20 minutes and then wipe it off using a clean cotton ball. You should repeat this procedure daily to get the desired benefit. It is advisable to first apply orange oil to a small area on your skin first to make sure that you are not allergic to it.

Baking soda and vinegar treatment

You should first dip your feet in hot water containing Epsom salt or vinegar. Pat your feet dry and apply a mixture of baking soda or hydrogen peroxide, Epsom salt and vinegar on the infected toenails. You should then wrap your toenail with a clean bandage and leave the mixture on your toenails for about 30 minutes. This will help in lightening the spots within 4 weeks.

Keep your nails moisturized

You may rub a vitamin E enriched moisturizer on your toenails to treat the dryness caused due to harsh chemicals. You can use menthol and camphor rich ointments as these compounds have the ability to penetrate the nail and kill the fungus. Various oils like garlic oil or oregano oil are known to have antifungal activities. You may apply these oils on your toenails to get rid of white discoloration due to fungal infections.

You can also apply yogurt/ lemon juice or rub slices of onion on the affected toenails to treat the white discoloration.
Unfortunately, there are no home remedies to cure white toenails occurring due to an underlying medical condition.

How Can I Prevent White Toenails?

You can prevent your toenails from turning white by taking these following precautions:

• Wear clean, comfortable and breathable socks and shoes
• Keep your feet clean at all times
• Keep your toenails short
• Give your toenails a break from nail polish. Avoid continuous use of nail polish
• Avoid using nail polish and nail polish removers containing chemicals like acetone. Use nail polish that contains some antifungal agents and vitamins
• Do not share nail clippers or footwear
• Do not walk barefoot in public places
• Do not leave your feet wet for a long period of time
• Apply moisturizer regularly on your toenails
• While getting a pedicure done, take due care to avoid damage to the cuticles
• Eat healthy food which is rich in vitamins and minerals
• You may try drinking cranberry juice to get the toxins out of your body.

Pictures

Pictures of White toenails:

Why do I have Itchy Feet?

The itch is really an unpleasant sensation, especially when it occurs in certain areas of the body which are sometimes tricky to reach and scratch, such as feet. Itchy feet can appear due to many different reasons, and if it persists for a long period of time, it can cause a great discomfort. Luckily, there is almost always a way to find out the cause of this condition and to take some measures, which will completely cure it or provide symptom relief. Here we will try to address as many causes of itchy feet as possible, to help you identify the significance of your symptoms, and to provide some advice on how to handle it in specific cases.

Causes of Itchy Feet

Causes of itchy feet are most commonly localized in the feet area, but these sensations can also appear because of some systemic disorders originating from other organs.

Fungus

Fungal infections are by far the most common cause of itchy feet. The fungus which is usually responsible for this is called Trichophyton, and the fungal infection of the feet is called Tinea pedis, usually known as Athlete’s foot. This fungus grows rapidly in a humid environment and it is frequently developing from wet shoes. Persons who spend most of the day in closed footwear, especially if they are physically active, are particularly susceptible to this condition.

Diabetes

Persons suffering from poorly managed diabetes mellitus are prone to various types of foot disorders, such as bacterial infections of the feet and toes. The most commonly isolated bacteria from diabetic foot are Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus. These bacteria can cause inflammation of the affected areas of the feet and produce itching, along with other symptoms we will address a bit later.

Parasites and Insects

Other biological agents, such as parasites and insects can cause itchy feet, especially after walking outside barefooted. The itch is typically noticed after beach walk, as the parasites, insects, and even small jellyfish are present in the wet sand. Small foreign objects you step on while walking, such as crystals of glass are more likely to produce itch than pain.

Other Diseases

Besides diabetes, other systemic disorders can also cause itchy feet, such as kidney disease. Persons with lowered kidney function have increased levels of urea in their blood, which is a state called uremia. Urea then accumulates in various organs, including the skin, which can cause severe itching. This is a common symptom during the end-stage kidney disease. These persons almost always have joint pain, due to excessive swelling of the feet and lower legs.

Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema is another possible cause of itchy feet. The exact cause of this condition has not yet been uncovered, but scientists think that it is based on some allergic reaction. Dyshidrotic eczema commonly occurs during summer, when there is an increased humidity level joined with increased temperature. Besides feet, this disorder can also affect hands and can be very itchy. During winter, dyshidrotic eczema rarely occurs, which mean that the sweat glands probably play an important role in its development.

Itchy feet during pregnancy

Some women experience itchy feet in pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. This condition is called obstetric cholestasis and it occurs due to mechanical pressure, which the fetus applies to the biliary system. If the normal flow of the bile is compromised, there can be an increased level of bile in the blood, which causes itching, usually in hand and feet areas.

Symptoms of Itchy Feet

• Many of the above mentioned causes of itchy feet can be recognized by noticing some other joined symptoms. For example, if you mostly experience itchy feet at night, it may be due to some biological causes (bacteria, fungi, parasites), as during the day, the itch is significantly suppressed by walking. Fungal and bacterial infections also come with a bad odor of the feet. Furthermore, bacterial infections can cause tissue damage and severe inflammation, which sometimes produces painful sensations.
• Persons with diabetes and kidney disease may experience tingling, pain, or numbness of the feet, due to peripheral neuropathy caused by long-term unmanaged blood sugar levels.
• If you notice blisters on your feet and hands, there is a great probability that you might have an issue with dyshidrotic eczema. This disorder may also appear with itchy hives, which partially confirms its suggested allergic etiology.
• In the majority of cases of itchy feet, some sort of rash will be present. Depending on the appearance of the rash, your dermatologist can often make a clinical diagnosis and spare time before starting the appropriate treatment. Itchy feet with no rash can be seen during uremia in patients with kidney disease. On the other hand, persons with diabetes will certainly have some skin changes joined with the itch, such as tight and thin skin which often peels eliminating a lot of dead skin cells.
• One of the issues we haven’t mentioned is also the itch associated with HIV infection. It may occur at any stage of the disease, but it is almost always associated with skin rash, which may also affect the feet and hands.

How to Get Rid of Itchy Feet?

Depending on the cause of the itchy feet, there are different treatments available. Antifungal creams and lotions are used to treat local infections caused by fungi. Bacterial infections may be simple, when topical creams containing antibiotics and corticosteroids may be enough, or complicated, in which case oral antibiotics are required.

For persons with diabetes, it is strongly recommended to keep blood sugar levels within the optimal range in order to prevent and decrease the changes of the feet associated with this disease. Similarly, patients suffering from kidney disease should do regular blood checks, so that their nephrologist can decide when it is the time for dialysis or kidney transplant. Addressing these underlying issues will automatically resolve the feet-related issues.

Home Remedies

Maintain Good Hygiene

Good hygiene of the feet is crucial, especially when it comes to fungal and bacterial infections. Every morning and every night before bed, you should soak your feet in warm water in order to eliminate the causative agents and the dead skin cells which they use as a substrate for reproduction. As said before, these microorganisms like humidity, so be sure to dry your feet well with a towel or a hair dryer after washing.

Baking Soda with Water

You can make a paste using two tablespoons of baking soda and water. Use this paste to cleanse your feet, especially the spaces between the toes where the fungi are the most probable to develop. High pH of the baking soda provides an unfavorable environment for the development of fungal infections.

Yogurt

Another great thing that you can use, and you probably always have it in your fridge is yogurt. Yogurt contains a broad spectrum of non-pathogenic bacteria, among which the most important one is Acidophilus. These bacteria take all the substrate for themselves, thus disabling the development of other, harmful pathogens. You can apply yogurt on your feet and massage your feet and toes with it every night before bed.

Sea salt

You can use the water solution of sea salt and soak your feet in it multiple times a day in order to relieve itching. This will remove the residual dead cells from your feet and toes and help your feet heal faster.

Unlike some topical creams, these home remedies are completely natural and it is safe to use them even in a toddler.

Are you thinking of toenail removal as a permanent solution to the distress you are facing with your painful toenail that has refused to heal? Is your toenail hurting so much that you feel like pulling it off? Are you facing the embarrassment of a smelling toe resulting from suppuration due to an ingrowing toenail? Well, you need not worry so much anymore. We are here to help you out. What you need is toenail removal that can help solve the problem once and for all, so that you can be free from the troublesome pain and permanently have your peace.

But why should you need a toenail removal? Toenails are removed for different reasons. But the basic reason why a lot of people do so is because of issues with the toes which have defied normal medical treatments.

Procedure for Toenail Removal

Toenail removal is surgical removal or excision of a part of an ingrown toenail in order to cut off the affected part and allow the nail to grow back without eating deep into the surrounding skin anymore. In this case, the pain is also taken care of.

Usually, there is a partial removal of a part of the edge of the nail so that the offending organism can be removed and the nail given a fresh start. Most times, it is the best way of proffering a permanent solution to the problem of an ingrowing toenail. But how is toenail removal done?

Toenail removal involves injecting the affected part of the toe with a local anesthesia in order to kill pain. The surgeon or podiatrist then proceeds to carry out a surgical operation known as ‘Onychectomy’, in order to excise or cut out the portion of the nail growing along the edge of the toe (ablation). The procedure is quite simple and takes between thirty to forty-five minutes to accomplish. The procedure does not require many equipment; just a few things are needed. It doesn’t cost much to get the surgery done since it is a simple procedure.

The infected piece of toenail is pulled off and if there is any infection, it is surgically drained. This whole process is known as ‘Wedge resection’ or simple surgical ablation, and it is non-permanent because it allows the nail to regrow from the matrix. Nevertheless, a complete removal (avulsion) of the toenail may be advised in extreme circumstances.

In some cases, the surgeon removes both sides of the nail, even though only side is affected by the ingrown toenail. He then treats the edges with a chemical in order to prevent them from further growing. One of the chemicals used for this growth control is phenol.

After the surgery, you can be discharged from the hospital immediately and allowed to go home. But the surgeon may place you on a few antibiotics treatment in order to prevent infection of the affected part or to control secondary infection which may already there. The healing time usually takes about 4 – 6 weeks. During this period, a nail varnish or ‘Fake nail’ can be used to temporarily provide a normal look for the nail.

The nails will usually regrow in a few cases. When this happens, the physician will need to carry out a more invasive surgery on the nail in order to proffer a permanent solution to the recurring problem.

Some of the major complications that could occur following surgery include secondary infection and disfigurement of the re-grown toenail. Hence care must be taken in order to avoid any form of infection that could cause further damage to the nail.

The Syme Procedure

The Syme procedure is employed when there is recurrent ingrown toenail (Onychocryptosis), persisting symptoms and the patient asks for a permanent surgical solution. An experienced surgeon would have to carry out a simple ‘Avulsion procedure’ on the nail. The surgeon simply carries out a procedure that involves the nail matrix removal with skin flap transfer, and phalanx partial osteotomy. The wound is then stitched.

Recovery Time

Recovery takes place between 4 and 6 weeks. During the first few days, you can rest the affected toe and elevate it on a pillow in order to minimize swelling. This also aids drainage and hastens healing. You may not be able to walk about for the first three or four days. Trying to walk long distances could produce a sharp and unbearable pain. It is therefore, advisable to take a few days off in your office in order to enable you rest the leg for those first three or four days.

Whereby there are no complications or secondary infection to deal with, recovery should be complete in 4 to 6 weeks and everything is okay again.

Recovery is aided by the use of antibiotics medication to combat an existing secondary bacterial infection. Besides, Antifungal drugs or creams can be prescribed by the physician, in order to help control any infection caused by fungus. In addition to these, pain killers will go a long way at reducing pain and assisting you to start walking as soon as the second or third day after the surgery.

Before and after the surgery, a few steps have to be taken because of the significant roles they play in encouraging early recovery. These include, walking less distances about three days before and after the surgery, making sure the gauze dressings are changed daily to maintain a clean wound, removing the stitches (sutures) about 15 days after the surgery, etc.

Reasons for Toenail Removal

Ingrown toenail is not the only reason why you need toenail removal. There are other reasons to do so. So what are those reasons? You may ask.

• Ingrown toenail
• Fungal infection of the toenail
• Nail trauma
• Ingrown toenail with symptoms such as severe pain, swelling and overgrowth of surrounding tissues.

Aftercare

Aftercare of the wound involves a few essential things. You need to:

• Change the wound dressings and apply new sterile gauze daily
• Avoid soaking the wound in water
• Do not trim the nails round the corners too short
• Avoid any trauma to the nail
• Take your prescribed medication
• Apply topical antibiotics twice daily until the wound is totally healed.
• Avoid scratching the wound even though it is itchy. Itching can occasionally occur with wound healing.

Conclusion

Ingrowing toenail is such a challenge that comes with excruciating pain, swelling of the toes, inability to wear shoes or walk properly, and a few other symptoms. However, with toenail removal, the situation can be remedied and the sufferer returns to normal life devoid of pains.

How to get rid of yellow toenails? Learn more about the symptoms, treatment, home remedies and causes of yellow toenails including diabetes, nail polish and so on.

What are Yellow Toenails?

Color changes in part or the whole body can be a very important indication of an individual’s health. Changes in body color especially if spontaneous and rapidly progressing should prompt a visit to a doctor for a clinical evaluation including a physical exam and possibly laboratory investigations. Most clinical presentations are usually cases doctors have seen before and most of them can make a diagnosis by just looking and prescribing appropriate medication. Examples of toenail discoloration include: toe nails turning black, green or yellow and at times the presence of white spots on the nail. This article discusses the appearance of yellow toenails on one foot, or in cases where the yellow toenails are on both feet; while exploring the possible causes. As you will see, the most common cause of yellow toenails can be easily managed, even at home, with doctor advice being sought mainly when there’s no discernible response to treatment or when the yellow toenails are due to a different underlying disease process.

Yellow toenails, especially if pathological, can be particularly bothersome to the patient because of its unsightly nature. This is also due to the embarrassment to participate in activities that involve being barefoot such as swimming, being at the beach, spa; to mention only a few. This may encourage excessive wearing of closed shoes to cover the affected toes, which may lead to a vicious cycle, further worsening the problem especially if the cause of the color change is fungal in origin. This is particularly important as fungal infection of the toenails is a common cause of yellow toes, and early identification of such a possibility as a patient may help prevent further toenail harm. This article addresses the problem that is yellow toe nails, the possible causes, the symptoms, treatment and possible home remedies that can be tried.

It is however important to note that there are other very common causes of toe nail changes that should not worry the patient; these include: use of nail polish and normal aging. Most nail polishes, particularly dark ones worn over long periods of time, can temporarily stain the toenails yellow. This may be a cause of worry to some; especially if you remember having just recently used a dark nail polish. The yellow hue that occurs afterwards is usually temporary and usually goes away after a few weeks. Taking a break from nail polish for a couple of weeks before using nail polish again and buffing may help in prevent the above.

Symptoms of Yellow Toenails

The yellow toe nails can be on one foot or both feet. The symptoms mainly depend on the underlying cause of the yellowness of the nails and the other nail abnormalities. With some causes presenting with only yellow nails while others also causing other associated nail abnormalities. Some of these nail changes are discussed under their causes above.

In summary, some of these nail abnormalities, other than yellowness of the nails includes:

• Thickening of the nails
• Crumbling of the nails
• Brittleness of the nails
• Separation of the nail from the nail bed, a process known as onycholysis and is usually due to chronic untreated nail infection.
• Stinky sweaty feet
• There may be pain in your toes, especially big toe pain.

Causes of Yellow Toenails

Some of the causes of yellow toe nails include:

Nail fungus

Also known as onychomycosis, this refers to the fungal infection of the nails and usually affects the toenails more compared to the fingernails; with the big toe being the most commonly affected. This is mainly because fungus usually thrives in warm, moist environments; an environment that can easily be provided by poor foot hygiene and closed shoes such as boots. Nail fungal infection is usually due to a group of fungus known as dermatophytes, but it may also be due to non-dermatophytes such as candida. As stated earlier, fungal infections are a common cause of yellow toenails and they can affect one or more toes on one or both feet. Other than the yellow discoloration of the toenails, fungal infection can result in the thickening of the toenails, the nails may crumble and break, and sometimes there may be pain. Fungal infections are also common in systemic conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes or peripheral arterial disease.

Normal aging

As we get older, the rate at which the body replaces old cells reduces and so does the blood supply to the nails. This also affects the nails causing them to become much weaker and change in color causing them to appear a shade yellow.

Diabetes

The sugar imbalances that occur during diabetes can cause changes in the nail causing it to appear a shade yellow.

Psoriasis: This is a complex disease that affects different parts of the body including the skin, joint, eyes among others. These parts become inflamed causing symptoms such as an itchy skin with eruptions, joint pain and redness of the eyes. Abnormalities of the nails are also very common including yellowness of the nails and disfigurement.

Smoking

One of the side effects of chronic smoking is yellowness of the nails. This is due to the components of a cigarette particularly tar and nicotine.

Malnutrition

Proper nutrition is important for healthy nails. Some nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin deficiencies has been associated with yellowness of nails. This is further supported by further research which has shown impressive results with treatment of fungal infections with anti-fungals together with vitamin E supplementation.

Yellow Nail Syndrome

This is an extremely rare hereditary condition that is characterized by yellow nails and other nail abnormalities, respiratory problems such as coughing and difficulty breathing and lymphedema, where fluid accumulates in tissues. If these symptoms occur together, especially with a history of similar symptoms in a family member you may need to see a doctor. But as mentioned at the beginning, this is a very rare condition and it is more likely that yellowness of your nails is being caused by something else.

Yellow or brown nails may also occur in other conditions such as:

• Pregnancy
• Thyroid disease such as hypothyroidism
• Lyme disease
• Cancer

Home Remedies

Home remedies that may help with the above symptoms include:

• Trimming of the toenails which usually help reduce the pain.
• Thickened nails can be difficult to trim; these can be softened by soaking applying an over-the-counter cream containing lactic acid or urea.
• Soaking feet in warm water containing apple cider vinegar has been shown by studies to inhibit the growth of some microorganisms that can cause nail infection.
• Lemon juice can also help as its acidity has a bleaching effect.
• Coconut oil has also been demonstrated to be a natural fungicide and antiseptic.
• Using appropriately fitting footwear that does not provide the warm, moist and dark environment that favors fungal infection. Whenever possible, opt for sandals or sandals.
• Pedicures should be avoided as they may encourage further spread of the fungal infection into the nail

How to Prevent Yellowing of Toenails

Measures that can be taken to prevent toe nails from turning yellow include:

• Taking a break from nail polish or using a nail buffer
• Dry feet are important: Feet should be dried well and socks kept clean and dry
• Daily alternating footwear to allow the sweat-dampened shoes enough time to dry out
• Regular trimming of the nails
• Regular exercises such as running and walking helps improve blood supply as bad circulation encourages fungal infection
• If you have fungal infection, measures you can take to avoid spreading to others include: avoiding walking barefoot in areas others may come in contact with, if possible avoiding swimming pools as well.

Treatment

If home remedies do not help or you suspect a systemic underlying disease process causing the nail changes, such as diabetes, you may want to see a doctor.

For the management of fungal infections your doctor may prescribe the following set of drugs either singly or in combinations. Medications used to treat fungal infections are known as anti-fungals and include:

• Oral anti-fungals: They include a drug called Lamisil and another one known as Sporanox. Treatment with this type of antifungals can take up to 12 weeks. These drugs may cause side effects such as skin rashes or even liver disease, and therefore should only be used under doctor’s guidance.
• Anti-fungal nail polish or nail cream: Your doctor may prescribe a nail polish called Penlac that contains an antifungal. The antifungal is applied like any other nail polish you may have to apply this kind of polish every day for up to a year. Medicated nail creams containing antifungals may also be prescribed and they usually work best after the nail has been thinned either by a file or a n over-the-counter lotion containing urea.
• Surgical nail removal: the removed nail may take up to a year to grow back and the nail bed may require additional treatment with an antifungal.
• Laser therapy

Yellow Toenails Pictures

Look at some of the pictures of yellow toenails:

Having sharp throbbing pain in your big toe? Get more insights on the possible causes of big toe pain, symptoms, treatment, home remedies to relieve the pain.

Take a look at your feet. Do you see that your first toe is visibly bigger than the rest of them? This toe is called as the big toe or hallux. Your feet contain a complex network of veins, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, bones, joints and muscles, many of which end at the big toe itself. The extension and flexion of your big toe is important for providing thrust during walking. Unfortunately, your big toe is prone to a lot of shock and pressure due to your daily activities. You are likely to experience pain in big toe, especially if you have walked a lot or injured your toe due to some reason. Pain in the big toe, due to whatever reasons may make it difficult for you to walk or remain active.

Symptoms of Big Toe Pain

Pain in the big toe is especially worrisome if it comes along with symptoms like swelling, discoloration, pus, numbness or stiffness.

What are the Causes of Pain in the Big Toe?

Pain in the big toe may emanate either from the joints or bones of the toe or may be superficial due to some infection or injury in the toenail. In some cases, underlying medical conditions, such as gout, may cause pain in the big toe. The most common reasons for pain in the big toe are:

Injuries

If there is swelling on the big toe along with the pain, you may have possibly injured your toe. In such cases, it is important to visit a doctor to find out if you have fractured your big toe due to the injury.

Toenail infections

You may experience severe pain in the big toe along with redness and swelling due to ingrown toenails or toenail infection or injury. In case of fungal toenail infection, your toenail may turn black or green in color and you may notice some green pus coming out of the nail bed or from underneath the toenail. Elderly people or people with diabetes are more likely to suffer from toenail infections.

Blood clots

If you have pain in the big toe associated with cold digits, feeling of numbness and sudden discoloration of toes, you must consult a physician immediately as this may indicate a serious medical condition, such as vascular diseases. These symptoms may occur due to the presence of a blood clot, probably in the heart or the arteries and may have cut off the blood supply to the tissues of your big toe. The numbness and cold digits may be indicative of necrosis of the big toe.

Bunions

Bunions (also called as hallux valgus) are large bumps that are formed over the big toe, at the joints. Bunions may cause a shift in the position of the big toe. It occurs due to use of tight and uncomfortable shoes. Continuing the use of ill-fitted shoes may make the bunions turn red and more irritated. Sometimes, bunion like deformity of the big toe is seen in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Hallux rigidus

As the name suggests, hallux rigidus or hallux limitus is a medical condition which is associated with stiffness of the big toe at the joint and may cause severe pain. Some amount of flexibility of the big toe is required for normal gait. Hallux rigidus limits the movement of the big toe joint which may lead to development of arthritis. Development of arthritis can further reduce the mobility of the big toe. You may sometimes see swelling on the affected toe. The pain and stiffness in your big toe may worsen if you stand or walk for a long time, especially when the weather is too cold. Hallux rigidus may lead to formation of bunion at the big toe joint.

Gout

Gout is a condition that occurs due to accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints of your big toe. You may experience sharp pain even if you touch your toe slightly. Ignoring gout attacks for a longer period of time may lead to damage of the big toe joints. Men and post-menopausal women are at increased risk of developing gout. You may have to get a blood test done to diagnose gout. Patients with gout may have to consider dietary modifications to treat the condition.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can affect all toes of your feet. However, your big toe is more prone to it. You may experience unbearable pain and stiffness. It is caused due to excessive stress or trauma, causing wear and tear of the joints of the feet. Osteoarthritis may be caused due to fracture or dislocation of the big toe bone. Other types of arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis may also cause pain in the big toe.

Tendonitis of the big toe

Inflammation in the tendons and ligaments around the big toe may also lead to pain in the big toe. Tendons are composed of connective tissues that connect the bones to the muscles. Tendons in the great toe are more susceptible to inflammation because it faces a lot of stress during exercise owing to the tightness of calf.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition in which the two small bones at the base of your big toe (sesamoid bones) get inflamed. The sesamoid bones help in flexing your big toe downwards. Inflammation in the sesamoid bones occurs due to the trauma caused due to excessive athletic activities. Another condition which is caused due to excessive trauma, especially due to stubbing the big toe repeatedly is called turf toe. Turf toe occurs due to sprain in the ligaments of the big toe.

Other conditions such as Morton’s neuroma, tennis toe, tumors, mallet or claw toe may also cause pain in the big toe.

How Can I Get Rid of the Pain in my Big Toe?

The treatment module will depend on the intensity and cause of the pain. For instance, if the pain in your big toe is due to a bunion you may have to undergo a surgery to correct it. If it is due to a fungal infection, you may have to take antifungal medications to get rid of the infection. If you have an ingrown toenail, you may have to visit a podiatrist to have the nail border removed. You may have to take some pain relieving medications to alleviate the pain in your big toe.

It is advisable not to ignore the pain in your big toe, especially if you do not know the reason behind the pain. You should visit your physician to diagnose the underlying medical conditions, if any. It is important to treat the medical conditions to relieve the pain in your toes. Moreover, treating the underlying condition will help in prevents further complications that can eventually lead to serious consequences such as amputation of the affected big toe.

Home Remedies

You may try the following home-remedies to relieve the pain:

Try the RICE method

RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. If you have immense pain in your big toe, it is advisable that you should avoid walking too much. Your big toe needs some rest. In the meanwhile, you should apply ice pack and cold or warm compress. Keeping your feet elevated while sitting or sleeping helps in reducing the pain.

Stretching exercises and physical therapy

Some stretching exercises may help in reducing the stiffness, numbness and pain in your big toe. You may visit a professional physiotherapist to know the exercise that best suits your condition.

Wear the right shoes

One of the major reasons for any problem associated to feet is use of uncomfortable and ill-fitted shoes. It is advisable to buy shoes that are ½ inch bigger than the actual size of your feet.

How can I prevent pain in the big toe?

You can prevent big toe pain by following a few precautionary measures:

• You should always wear shoes that fit you properly.
• The shoes and socks that you wear should be of breathable material and should be able to absorb the sweat on your feet.
• Exercise regularly to keep your weight under control. Overweight people are more likely to suffer from pain in the big toe.
• Drink plenty of water if you exercise a lot.
• If you are suffering from gout, eat healthy foods that do not produce uric acid.
• Avoid driving if you have pain in your big toe.

Are you suffering from a great deal of pain due to your toenails falling off? It may be a scary sight to see your nail bed without the nail. Do not worry, the nail will grow back and the pain will subside. Toenails falling off, medically referred to as onycholysis or onychoptosis, occur as a result of separation of the toenail from the nail bed. The nail may at first look discoloured or disfigured and this changed appearance will be followed by detachment of the nail from the nail bed.

Causes and Symptoms of Toenails Falling off?

Falling of toenail is observed very commonly and may be caused due to reasons as simple as running for a long period of time wearing shoes that are really tight and uncomfortable. You may see some bleeding from the nail bed due to falling of toenails. The most common reasons for falling of toe nail are:

Injuries

Your toenails may fall off if you have injured your toe. You may bruise your toenails, especially if they are long, due to constant stress caused to the nail owing to the use of uncomfortable shoes. Injuries may also occur if you hit your toes against a hard surface, like a door or a wall or due to carelessness while walking. You are more prone to toe injuries if you are an athlete or a sportsperson. Injuries may cause damage to the blood vessels in your toes and your toenails may turn blue or black due to reduced blood flow. Nail injuries may be dangerous as it may lead to infections. You may also observe bleeding under the injured toenail.

Fungal infections

Your toenails may start falling off if you have a fungal nail infection, like athlete’s foot or tinea pedis. Toenail infections are caused due to a group of fungi called dermatophytes which feed on the keratin present in your nails. The fungal infection not only affects your toenails but also the skin on your feet. If you have a fungal infection in your toenails, your nails will turn yellow or green in color and start to form cracks. In some cases, fungal infections may lead to formation of thick toenails that become disfigured and eventually fall off. You may observe redness around the affected toenail. In some cases, you may notice a bad smell coming out of the nail bed. This is usually due to accumulation of pus or blood under the nail bed. Toenails are very prone to fungal infections due to the moist and warm atmosphere created surrounding the toes when the shoes are put on. These infections are contagious and you may end up getting infected if you share footwear or hygiene products with people who are already suffering from fungal infections in toenails.

Toenail falling off after ingrown toenail surgery

Ingrown toenails are generally formed due to fungal infection, injuries or reduced blood flow to the lower extremities. Ingrown toenails are most commonly observed in elderly people or in people with diabetes or peripheral vascular diseases. It is very common to notice toenail falling off after surgery for removal of ingrown toenail due to the damage caused to your nail matrix.

Underlying medical conditions and side effects to medicines

Sometimes, you may observe that your toenails are falling off for no reason such as fungal infection or injury. Do not ignore it, even if you do not face any discomfort due to the falling off of toenails. In such situations, it is advisable to visit a physician to analyse the underlying cause. Skin diseases such as psoriasis may cause your toenails to fall off. You may notice pitting, cracking or complete loss of toenail if you have discoid or systemic lupus, thyroid or some endocrine condition. Toenails may fall off as a side effect of certain medications such as antimalarial medicines or chemotherapy. Vitamin deficiency, especially vitamin A and E, or nutrition related disorders such as bulimia or anaemia can make your toenails weak and they may eventually fall off.

Treatment

• If your toenails have fallen off, you may wonder how long it will take for the nail to grow back. Be patient! It may take some time, maybe even six to eight months for the toenail to grow back. In the meanwhile visit a physician to find out the exact reason that caused your toenails to fall off.
• If your toenails have fallen off due to a fungal infection, you will have to take oral antibiotics along with application of topical antifungal ointments to treat the infection. Even if the fungal infection has cleared off, there is a possibility that it may come back once the new nail has grown. It is advisable to talk to your doctor if you have a fungal infection on your toe.
• If your toenail is deformed or half- broken and the infection is spreading to rest of the toes, the doctor may have to remove your toenail completely to avoid further infection and to reduce the pain.
• If there is accumulation of pus or blood in a blister under the affected toenail or nail bed, the doctor may have to drain it out and bandage the infected toe.
• If your toenails have fallen off due to an injury, you may have to get an examination done to rule out the possibility of toe bone fracture. You may be asked to take painkillers or anti- inflammatory medicines to reduce the pain.
• If your toenails have fallen off due to medical conditions such as psoriasis or lupus, it is important to treat the underlying medical condition as well.
• If you are a diabetic it is advisable to consult your doctor, even if it is not causing any pain or discomfort.

Home Remedies

• In most cases, home remedies help in alleviating pain and helps in quicker healing.
• If there is blood or pus oozing out of the affected nail bed, you should first clean it using a sterile cotton ball and clean water before cutting it off or soaking your feet in water.
• If only a part of your toenail has fallen off, cut the sharp edges carefully using a nail trimmer to prevent further injury. You may wrap the remaining toenail with a bandage till the nail has grown out enough.
• If you are unable to cut or trim your nail by yourself, it is advisable to visit a podiatrist to get it trimmed. For any reason, do not try to forcefully pull out or cut your half-broken toenail.
• Apply ice pack or soak your toes in cold water for 10-15 minutes after trimming the nail to reduce the pain. You may apply an antibacterial ointment to the toe after patting it dry. Always keep your toes clean and dry to prevent further infections.
• If your toenails have fallen off due to a fungal infection, you may soak your feet in warm water containing salt (1 tsp in 1L water) or vinegar for 15-20 minutes. You may apply an antibiotic ointment after patting your feet dry. After application of the ointment, you can apply an adhesive bandage on your affected toe. This procedure can be done twice daily.
• You should keep your nail bed clean, dry and covered with antibacterial cream or powder till the tenderness in the nail bed is gone and/ or the nail has grown back. Do not keep the same adhesive bandage on for a longer period of time, especially if it gets wet. This may worsen the situation by promoting the growth and spread of fungal infection.
• Keep a check on you affected toe. Watch out for signs of worsening of infection like pain, redness, pus, inflammation or tenderness. If you observe any of these symptoms, visit your physician immediately.

How to Prevent your Toenails from Falling off

You can keep yourself away from the pain and discomfort of detached toenail by taking a few simple precautionary measures:

• Wear shoes that are comfortable and breathable
• Wear clean socks that can absorb the sweat generated in your feet
• Be very careful while walking or running, especially if you are a diabetic
• Do not share your shoes or footwear with anyone
• Do not enter locker rooms or public washrooms barefoot
• Maintain good hygiene habits at all times
• Do not keep your feet moist for a long period of time
• Always cut your toenails straight across
• Avoid use of artificial nails
• Do not apply nail polish or chemical products on your nails habitually. They make your nails weak and brittle causing them to fall off eventually
• Use clean and sterile instruments while getting a pedicure done
• If your nail is partially detached, do not try to pull it out forcefully
• Maintain healthy lifestyle and include a meal rich in vitamins in your daily diet.