Dr. Alai is an actively practicing medical and surgical dermatologist in south Orange County, California. She has been a professor of dermatology and family medicine at the University of California, Irvine since 2000. She is U.S. board-certified in dermatology, a 10-year-certified fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Fellow of the American Society of Mohs Surgery.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
The great toes are the most commonly
affected sites. Other toenails may less commonly become ingrown. Fingernails may
rarely become affected.
What causes infections in ingrown toenails?
Bacteria and fungi can easily
infect the skin of the feet and nails. The foot's warm and moist environment is
a great breeding ground for many kinds of infections including Staphylococcus,
Pseudomonas, Candida, and Trichophyton. It is important to treat any secondary
infections resulting from or following ingrown toenails.
What are possible complications of ingrown toenails?
Ingrown toenails may cause deeper bacterial
tissue infection (cellulitis), localized infection of the nail fold (paronychia),
and scarring of the nail fold and skin.
How do I treat an ingrown toenail at home?
Use warm soaks for 10 minutes two to three
times a day during the flare.
Helpful soaks options include:
1. dilute white
vinegar (roughly 1 part household vinegar to 4 parts water)
3. very dilute Clorox bleach footbath (approximately 1/3 teaspoon Clorox in
one
medium bucket of water or one capful of Clorox in one bathtub full of water)
Elevate the foot and leg.
Gently roll back the piece of overgrown skin after
soaking the affected toenail.
Gently slip a thin wisp of cotton or dental
floss (tape) under the nail edge to help lift the nail off the skin.
Trim toenails straight across (not too short), and avoid curving at the edges.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Foot pain may be caused by injuries (sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures), diseases (diabetes, Hansen disease, and gout), viruses, fungi, and bacteria (plantar warts and athlete's foot), or even ingrown toenails. Pain and tenderness may be accompanied by joint looseness, swelling, weakness, discoloration, and loss of function. Minor foot pain can usually be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation and OTC medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Severe pain should be treated by a medical professional.
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of
arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout,
and pseudogout.
Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process after injury. The depth and size of the wound incision and the location of the injury impact the scar's characteristics, but your age, heredity and even sex or ethnicity will affect how your skin reacts.
Diabetes-related foot problems can affect your health with two problems: diabetic neuropathy, where diabetes affects the nerves, and peripheral vascular disease, where diabetes affects the flow of blood. Common foot problems for people with diabetes include athlete's foot, fungal infection of nails, calluses, corns, blisters, bunions, dry skin, foot ulcers, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts.
Teenagers recognize that they are developmentally between child and adult. Teen health prevention includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, preventing injuries and screening annually for potential health conditions that could adversely affect teenage health.
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