Vikram Ravindranath Menon

TOENAILS – AND THEIR CARE From Hair to Toenail is a term often used to describe a human body, but how often do we care about our toenails? How much do we know about it and its diseases? Let us take a peek at our nails and what their appearance denotes. Our nails are tough hard claw-like portions of the body found at the upper tips of our fingers and toes. Nails are made up of skin and hair cells that harden into a tough protein called keratin. As new cells grow it pushes the older cells further and that is why our nails ‘Grow’, and we have to trim them regularly. The nail is categorized as a Nail plate, Nail groove Lunula, and Eponychium. Your nails like your face are often visible to anyone looking at you, and just as any blemish or mark on your face is often the onlooker latches on to, your nails too are exposed to the same scrutiny. Nail disfigurement is often an indication of impending health problems. Pale Nails, White Nails, White Spots on Nails, Yellow Nails, Horizontal Grooves or Gaps in Nails, Blue Nails, Rippled Nails, Split or Cracked Nails, Pale Horizontal bands on Nails, Puffy Nail folds, Dark Lines beneath Nails, Clubbed Nails are often encountered and considered indicators of health issues that range from Aging to Cirrhosis and Pneumonia and other issues. In this episode, we shall dwell on the Toe Nails. Some common ailments of Toe Nails are • • • Toe Nail Fungus; Ingrown Toe Nail; Toe Nail Trauma. Toe Nail Fungus As the name indicates, Toe Nail Fungus is a fungus infection that grows slowly in the Nail and the Skin beneath it. Fungal infections often occur at the tip of the toenail or fingernail. As the infection grows deeper it causes discoloration, thickening, or crumbling of the infected nail. Causes of Toe Nail Fungus infection – Fungal Infections are caused by various Fungal organisms and Yeasts and Molds. The infections can happen at any age but are more common in older humans. With aging, nails turn brittle dry, or crack, this allows the fungus to enter and settle. Reduced blood flow, Diabetes, and a weakened immune system also contribute to the infection settling in. Athletes' foot is also a known cause. Wearing shoes for a long period and having sweaty feet, Long hours in damp surroundings, a small injury or tear in the skin near the toenail are risk factors for fungal infection. Symptoms – The most common visible symptoms of the fungal infection are: • • • • • • • Debris building under the Nail. Discoloration of the Nail Distorted Shape Crumbling of the Nail Loosening of the infected part or the whole nail separating from the base of the Nail Plate. Thickening of the Nail. Smelly or foul smell in some cases. Ingrown Toe Nail The condition where the sides of the toenail curve inwards and grow into the skin and soft flesh is called an ingrown toenail. The condition is very common and is usually noticed in the big toe. It is normally self-diagnosed and can be treated at home. Causes The most common are wearing tight shoes and bad grooming or nail clipping. Trauma caused by stubbing the toe or an injury due could also be a reason. In rare cases, a congenital situation of the nail being too large in comparison with the toe can also be a cause. Symptoms encountered are • • • • Pain and tenderness in your toe along the portion that has the ingrown nail. Redness around the toe Swelling around the nail and toe Infection in the toe Toe Nail Trauma The condition is caused by injury to the toe because of stubbing or a heavy object falling on it. Ill-fitting shoes either too tight or loose too can cause the problem due to cramping or friction as the case may be. Discoloration of the nail, cracks in it, or other fallout from the injury is normally seen in this situation. Toenail trauma can also result in secondary infections