Podiatry - Chiropody

Dream Zone offers a qualified and certified chiropodist service. We ensure a professional, effective, and friendly service to each and every client that comes through our door. Inspired by innovation, we use the latest techniques and equipment in all of our podiatry services to provide effective and long-lasting results, no matter what your concern. We can treat any issues relating to the foot and nail.

- Nail Problems

- Nail Reconstruction

- Fungal Infections

- Ingrown Nails

- Verrucae Removal

- Hard Skin Removal

- Nail Bracing

- Removal of Corns and Callus

- Nail Care

- Cracked Heels

- Fungal Infections (Nails & Athletes Foot)

- Laboratory Tests for Fungal and Bacterial Infections

Overview

Your toenails serve a purpose, which is to protect your toes. They’re made from keratin, which is the same protein that makes up your skin, hair, and fingernails. It is keratin that makes them tough and resilient to daily wear and tear.

Friction from your shoes, your level of physical activity and the heat and moisture they’re exposed to can wreak havoc on your toenails, as can some health conditions.

Pain, itching, and discoloration are just some of the signs of toenail problems.

Toenail abnormalities causes and symptoms

There are a number of toenail abnormalities that can cause anything from pain to a change in a toenail’s appearance.

Here’s a look at some common toenail problems, what causes them and their symptoms.

Toenail fungus

Nail fungus, or Onychomycosis, is a common condition. About 10 percent of people are affected. The older you are the more likely you are to experience it. Half of all people over age 70 develop this infection.

You may first notice a white or yellow spot under the tip of a toenail. As the fungal infection makes its way deeper into the nail, your nail will become discolored and thicken.

Your nail may also crumble and become jagged at the edge, and spread to other toenails. It can also spread to the surrounding skin.

Toenail fungus can be caused by a fungal infection on your foot or from walking barefoot where someone else with an infection has walked, such as saunas or locker rooms.

Fungi thrive in dark and damp environments, so people whose feet remain wet for extended periods have an increased risk of toenail fungal infections. This can happen when wearing the same sweaty shoes or boots every day or working in wet conditions.

People with diabetes are also at high risk for this infection.

Symptoms

If you have toenail fungus, one or more of your toenails may become:

• discolored, usually white or yellow

• thickened

• misshapen

• brittle or crumbly

• foul-smelling

Ingrown toenail

Ingrown toenails are one of the most common and most painful toenail problems. It occurs when the corner or side of your toenail grows into the flesh.

This can be caused by:

• cutting your toenails too short

• cutting your toenails on a curve instead of straight across

• injuring your toenail

• having unusually large or curved toenails

Symptoms

If you have an ingrown toenail, you may experience:

• redness and pain along the side of the nail

• swelling around your toenail

• pus draining from your affected toenail

Toenail trauma

Toenail trauma can happen several ways, including:

• stubbing your toe

• dropping something heavy onto your foot

• wearing ill-fitting shoes

• picking at nails

Activities such as running or ballet dancing may also cause trauma to the toenail, as can a poorly performed pedicure.

Injuring a toenail can result in a collection of blood under the nail, called subungual hematoma. Other damage can include a partially or completely separated nail or injury to the underlying bone.

Symptoms

Symptoms of toenail trauma depend on the type of injury and may include:

• pain or throbbing

• dark red or purple spot under the nail

• split or torn nail

• nail lifting away from the skin

• thickening of the toenail

• discoloration

• bleeding

Leukonychia

Leukonychia is the whitening of the nail plate. The condition can be divided into types based on the extent of the whitening:

• Leukonychia striata are white streaks on the nail.

• Leukonychia partialis is a partial whitening of the nail.

• Leukonychia totalis is the complete whitening of the nail.

It is believed white streaks that form on the nail are due to problems with how the nail makes keratin. Whitening of the nail can be caused by underlying medical conditions or injury to the toenails.

An inherited gene mutation, certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, and heavy metal poisoning can also cause leukonychia. In some casesTrusted Source, an underlying cause is not found.

Symptoms

Symptoms of leukonychia include:

• white spots on the nails

• partial whitening of the nails

• complete whitening of the nails

Red or black lines down the nails can be signs of a variety of serious infections and medical conditions, including cancer. See your doctor if you notice these types of changes.