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Ingrown toenails in children often result from improper nail trimming, wearing tight footwear, or injury. When nails are cut too short or rounded at the edges, they can grow into the surrounding skin, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. Tight shoes or socks can put pressure on the toes, encouraging the nails to grow inward. Additionally, stubbing a toe or repeated trauma from activities like running can contribute to the problem. To prevent ingrown toenails, ensure that children wear properly fitting shoes and socks that provide enough room for their toes. Trim their nails straight across and avoid cutting them too short. Encouraging children to be cautious during physical activities can also help reduce the risk of injury to their toenails. If you suspect your child has an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Massimo Pietrantoni, DPM of Rochester Podiatry, LLP. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brighton and Greece of Rochester, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity where one or more of the smaller toes bend abnormally at the middle joint, resembling a hammer. This condition often results from an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally keep the toe straight. Common causes can include wearing ill-fitting shoes, especially those that are too tight or have high heels, which force the toe into a bent position. Other contributing factors include genetic predisposition, arthritis, and trauma to the toe. Symptoms of hammertoe include pain or irritation on the affected toe, especially when wearing shoes, as well as corns or calluses forming on the top of the joint due to friction. The affected toe may also become red, swollen, or stiff. Early detection is essential for effective treatment, which may involve changing footwear, using orthotic devices, and performing toe exercises. If you have developed a hammertoe, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer you effective treatment options, which may include surgery for severe cases that can relieve pain and correct the deformity.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Massimo Pietrantoni, DPM of Rochester Podiatry, LLP. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brighton and Greece of Rochester, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Gout and bunions are distinct foot conditions that can sometimes be confused due to similar symptoms of pain and swelling in the big toe area. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joint, leading to sudden, severe pain, redness, and swelling. It often affects the big toe but can occur in other joints. Bunions are structural deformities where the big toe deviates toward the other toes, causing a bony bump on the side of the foot. This can result from wearing tight shoes, genetic factors, or arthritis. Bunions can cause chronic pain, especially while walking or wearing shoes, and can lead to swelling and redness. To manage gout, lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol and purine-rich foods, staying hydrated, and taking medications to lower uric acid levels are recommended. Bunions may be managed with properly fitting shoes, orthotics, and, in severe cases, surgery. If you have toe pain, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan for either condition.

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Massimo Pietrantoni, DPM from Rochester Podiatry, LLP. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Brighton and Greece of Rochester, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.