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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ClearSkies on September 20, 2006, at 23:17:46
I have a few toe issues going on and some questions.
I have a little toe who had been severely stepped on, and a strip of nail and some of the nail bed has been torn down to the nail bed. Does this kind injury heal on its own, Or do I have to see a podiatrist about it?A big toe suffered enormous trauma from an over enthusiastic walk while exploring a city earlier this year. The entire nail bed was covered with a blood blister. I have since given those particular "healthy foot shoes" the heave ho. That toe continues to grow, with healthy growth from the nail bed. I'm afraid of the damaged part of the nail will grow out and maybe snap off on its own.
Recurrent athletes foot. Anything better to use the OTC cures? And why does it return, when I scarsely weaar socks or closed toes shoes, year round.
OK, foot intelligencia, please review amd comment.
ClearSkies, working on improving a particular part of my body.
Start at the botton and work up? Or start at the worst place and work on parts in order of lessening importance to you (or as recommended by a specialist)
Posted by alexandra_k on September 22, 2006, at 5:19:30
In reply to Toes health question, posted by ClearSkies on September 20, 2006, at 23:17:46
Um... I think nails tend to right themselves eventually. Just kinda grow out and start growing normally. That being said I've got one nail that grows funny. I just keep it trimmed pretty short.
> Recurrent athletes foot. Anything better to use the OTC cures?
OTC cures?
> And why does it return, when I scarsely weaar socks or closed toes shoes, year round.
I think it is a fungal infection.
It likes to grow in damp conditions so you should take special care to dry in between your toes after bathing. Does anyone else in your family get it? Sometimes you can pick it up from shared showers or shared change rooms at swimming pools and stuff like that.Maybe it lives on your shoes so when you treat your feet you catch it off your shoes? Maybe when you treat your feet you should disinfect your shoes or something?
I don't really know.
I think it can have to do with Ph balance too... It is related to thrush isn't it? I tend to get thrush when I eat a lot of cheese... I know some people say that is a myth and maybe I've got imaginitus but I'm pretty sure cheese has a negative effect... Yoghurt is meant to be good for you (the acodophilis and bio-whatsit variety). Meant to have the good kind of bacteria that help with the bad thrush kind. Apparantly it is good to eat it but it is also good to apply it directly to the infected area. Though I've heard the latter is a myth from some places... I've also heard other people swear by it...
But I have no idea really...
Posted by ClearSkies on September 22, 2006, at 12:00:11
In reply to Re: Toes health question » ClearSkies, posted by alexandra_k on September 22, 2006, at 5:19:30
Ahhh. OTC = over the counter, remedies that don't require a doctor's prescription.
My dad used to have chronic athlete's foot, and perspired very heavily, just like I do. So most likely there is a predisposition there for flare ups.Maybe a yoghurt foot mask will help - I will try it, definitely.
Thanks!
Posted by Jost on September 22, 2006, at 22:29:36
In reply to Re: Toes health question » alexandra_k, posted by ClearSkies on September 22, 2006, at 12:00:11
There are prescription medications for athlete's foot-- they work much better than OTC meds, because they're actually curative. The OTC stuff will control athlete's foot, if you keep it up. Maybe it would eliminate it-- but probably not.
I'd get the prescription. Even then you have to be pretty persistent, much longer than you'd think, based on obvious sypmtoms.
Also, there are systemic pills, which have some potential side-effects, so are not to be used lightly. But they might be worth it, if your athlete's foot is spreading or really a problem, or is affecting the growth of toenails, etc. They do really work.
About the nail, if it's really bad, you should have it looked at by a doctor. It's mostly that it could grow back improperly if the damage affects the regrowth of the nail. Unlikely, probably it's okay-- but if it's really broken through, or growing strangely, it should be checked out.
If the shoes didn't work, maybe you need some sort of orthotic in your shoe, to correct for pronation, supination, or arch, etc. If the balance of your step is thrown off, it can exert way too much pressure on your toes, when you walk.
[I know all this not from my own very pristine feet! -- heaven forbid!--but because my SigO has had both problems-- so I've become rather expert while watching. Not that I was *watching* that closely, to be honest, but I did get an earful on the subject.]
Posted by laima on October 20, 2006, at 0:14:36
In reply to Re: Toes health question » ClearSkies, posted by Jost on September 22, 2006, at 22:29:36
I once had a problem with a toe- due to ignorance about going about barefoot at public pools. My large toenail wanted to fall off- i freaked- and went to dermatologist- who prescribed a miraculouisly effective topical cream, (Lopromax?), and recommmended soaking my feet in apple cider vingegar every few days. No pills needed! Cleared right up and never had a problem since.
This is the end of the thread.
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