2006-07-11 03:28:57 · 20 answers · asked by Dana B 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
Some podiatrists (foot doctors) require that you be referred to them, which means that you need to go to your regular doctor and have them send you to the podiatrist. Go to your general doctor first, as he/she might be able to fix you up. If not, they then will refer you to the next correct doctor.
We did this for my daughters toe nails, and the podiatrist was kind of the last resort when the regular doctor wasn't successful in treating the problem. Toe nails can be very stubborn! But don't put it off, as it will only get worse and harder to treat.
2006-07-11 03:33:01 · answer #1 · answered by poppet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Foot doctor, but let me take a guess first. If you had painful ingrown toenails you probably already went to a podiatrist and wouldn't be asking this question. Simple athlete's foot can be cured with powder and sprays, so that's not it either.
I'm guessing you have dermatophytes - a toenail fungus, which is causing your toe nails to become thickened, ridged, soft in places, with some 'bruise spots'. Also, this will increase your chances of getting ingrown toenails. If you go to a foot doctor, he/she will fix the problem a little, and will probably prescribe some polish or gel compound that thins your nails over a period of 6 months. These things don't work well at all. So here is what you can do.
First, take off all nail polish and trim your toenails straight across. Then get a little metal file and file down the tops of your nails so that they are down to normal thickness...... This may take a few weeks, so do a little every night before you go to bed. Next, massage Vicks Vapo Rub into your toes and nails before you go to sleep. Throw out your old fungus-laden shoes. Wear shoes that will give you some ventilation and change your socks several times a day. Your situation will dramatically improve in about a month, rather than 6 months. If you have ingrown toenails, get that taken care of.
2006-07-11 03:47:02 · answer #2 · answered by Zelda Hunter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would start with a foot doctor to rule out any fungal problems with the nails. They can usually be treated with over the counter medications. If the nail is loose from the nail bed or brittle and crumbling you may need more than a topical antifungal. There are some products sold for this problem such as Tineacide. I go to myfootshop.com for information and products related to foot problems
2006-07-11 08:19:49 · answer #3 · answered by gina m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Foot doctor
2006-07-11 03:33:44 · answer #4 · answered by Spike Spiegel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A foot doctor.
2006-07-11 03:30:50 · answer #5 · answered by pamela_d_99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the issue or problem, you best bet would be to see a foot doctor.
2006-07-11 03:32:01 · answer #6 · answered by jackie48083 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See a podiatrist, a foot doctor. They will be able to fix anything that goes wrong with your toe nails.
2006-07-17 15:32:06 · answer #7 · answered by Carol R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
foot doctor
2006-07-11 03:31:37 · answer #8 · answered by lisa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Foot Dr,
2006-07-11 03:31:11 · answer #9 · answered by purpal2002002 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
foot doctor
2006-07-11 03:30:50 · answer #10 · answered by Jen S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋