INGROWN TOENAILS
OUR TOENAILS provide much needed support for the tips of our toes. As a result, these appendages are often traumatised. Ill-fitting shoes or shoes with a narrow box gradually bend the nails inward. These ingrown nails pierce the flesh of the toe causing pain and an opening for infection. Our practice of cutting nails in a tapered manner increases this tendency. Nails are best cut straight to avoid this problem.
The ingrown nail must be removed from the flesh to relieve this condition. This should be done by the health provider under aseptic conditions or a severe infection may result. If the area at the base of the nail is not cauterised the nail will regrow and under the same conditions - ill-fitting shoes, pointed-toe shoes, rounded edges - the nail will grow inward again. To prevent this, the nail must be trained to grow outwards. This may be achieved by inserting gradually a pledget of cotton under the nail daily, thus forcing the nail upwards.
PITTED KERATOLYSIS
In this condition shallow punched-out depressions occur on the thickened skin of the weight-bearing area of the foot. Hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) is noted. The soles are moist and foul smelling. The cause is bacterial colonisation of the upper skin layer. Footwear that does not breathe will be predisposed to this condition. Treatment with broad-spectrum topical antibiotics is curative. Keep feet cool and dry.
Our feet will give us decades of trouble free service with a little thought on our part:
choose shoes carefully. Ensure that they are the proper size - snug at the heel to prevent friction and wide in the box to allow our toes space
wash feet carefully and dry between the toes well - use a blast from the hair dryer for extra drying
avoid standing for long periods, if at
all possible
If your feet are smelly, hyperhydrosis may be the problem - wear absorbent cotton socks
athletes should exercise special care in
choosing footwear - loose enough to accommodate thick cotton socks for absorbency and
cushioning effect but snug so as to prevent
friction.
a recent study indicated that anti-perspirants applied to the feet might prevent blisters.
keep nails clean and cut straight across
without the tapering edges
do not attempt to cut out an ingrown nail - the threat of infection is great
it is important for diabetics to visit the
chiropodist regularly to prevent potentially
serious foot problems.
- Dr. Clive Anderson, dermatologist.
