In order to ensure fewer nail problems, the shoe selection is important. The shoes must be wide and tall enough to accommodate your feet. If you trim your own nails, try to cut the nails straight across without going into the corners. If you have circulation problems or diabetes, please see your podiatrist before doing any self-care.

Ingrown nails
An ingrown nail is one that begins to curve down into the skin. Most of the time the big toes have ingrown toenails. Tight shoes, improper trimming, or just the general shape of the nail may cause them. Ingrown nails might lead to an infection in the skin around the nail.

Pain may be along the side that the nail is ingrown or even throughout the entire toe. Walking seems to make the pain worse. To evaluate the problem, your podiatrist will evaluate the toe around the affected area.

If there are no signs of infection, your doctor will cut the ingrown portion out. Depending on the severity and the presence or absence of infection, the side of the nail may need to be removed back to the level of the cuticle. Antibiotics may also be required if infected.

Fungal nails
Fungal nails tend to be thick, crumbly, and discolored. Fungal nails can be very difficult to trim without the assistance of a podiatrist.

You will need to talk to your podiatrist regarding treatment of fungal nails. Treatment can include solutions, creams, removal of problematic nails, or even oral medications.

Toenails can have changes similar to the ones that are present in fungal nails without the presence of a fungus. Your foot doctor can examine the nails to determine if a fungus is present or if there is another underlying condition.

Black and blue nails
Black and blue nails are most often caused by a traumatic event. Many times this happens from sport activities or a heavy object falling onto the toe. There could be pain associated with this discoloration if the injury is sudden.

Your podiatrist should examine the nail and the rest of your foot to ensure that there is no infection present. Treatment can include doing nothing, drilling a hole into the nail plate to relieve the pressure, or removal of the entire nail plate.

You should discuss the treatment choices with your podiatrist.