Ask a Podiatrist: Ingrowing Big Toe Nail, Wart or Corn?

Have you ever wanted to ask a Podiatrist (a question)?

​Most calls I get center around one of a few conditions: fungal nail infections, corns and ingrowing toenails. 

Coming to think of it, most emails too!

Anyways, as part of a new feature I'm going to post queries I get via email.

​I will of course ensure these remain anonymous.

(I'll also edit for clarity)

​Ask a Podiatrist: Ingrowing Big Toe Nail, Wart or Corn?

I get a lot of emails. Now, as a Podiatrist aka a healthcare professional, I'll assist anyone. 

​One of the problems, though, is that Podiatry often needs more than mere words. 

Sometimes it needs a good ol' scalpel blade, nail nippers or hard insoles. 

The other issue is: it's time consuming.

Without someone in front of me, I have to make educated guesses.

​I have to take into account nuances and read between lines to ensure everyone's safety. 

Now the good news: a lot of the time, there are certain steps you can

Yeah so I figure that by publishing the answers I give, you'll all get the benefit.​

Ask a Podiatrist: ​Ingrowing Big Toe Nail, Wart or Corn?

"Hello sir I was going to ask you for your advice on two things:

First, I have an extremely painful spot on the bottom of my foot.

After reading your article, I think it may be a corn?

Second, I have a bad ingrown toenail. I will attach a picture of both.

I'm sorry to message you and ask, I'm just really struggling right now financially and I do not have any insurance. 

​​I can't afford to go to a doctor. The emergency room won't do anything for me other than give me a referral to see a specialist — but that costs money.

Again, I'm sorry for bothering you about this. Thank you very much for any information you can help me with and your time.

Thank you and my question is what can I do to fix both issues or at least make it less painful."​

Ask a Podiatrist: My Reply...

Saint Gareth of Footcorns

"​Hi,

No dramas, I'm not going to ask you to pay but I obviously can't give a huge amount of advice. 

Yes, that is a corn.

​It's sat right on a bony prominence. It doesn't look too nasty in fairness, more that it's right on a protrusion. 

In other words, you're able to be made at least less uncomfortable, if not cured. ​

​You'd be best off offloading that area with some form of cushioning (and I mean that area very specifically)

​Band Aids or a non-acid corn pad could work well here. 

Second, you need to get moisture back into it and get rid of the dead thick skin.

Gehwol Fusskraft Mint is my foot cream of choice. Use it twice a day pre putting your feet up for a few hours. 

After around a week, file the hell out of it with a pumice stone or good foot file.

Ingrowing Nail Home Treatment

Regarding that ingrowing nail, you need a set of pointed, curved nippers.

​These are similar to the ones I use in the video at the top. 

Then you need to take a 45 degree angle wedge of the obviously curved sides.

Start incrementally. Don't go further down the length of your nail than necessary as that's where  expensive problems start.

It needs to look like something similar to video above attached (ignore the nail condition on focus on the cut and angle)

Douse the hell out of your nail bed afterwards with antiseptic or at least a saltwater foot bath. 

The right inside doesn't look too bad; but the left lateral is starting to look problematic. Take your time. 

All the best,

Gareth ​

Ask a Podiatrist: Ingrowing Big Toe Nail, Wart or Corn?

If you ever wanted to ask a Podiatrist, there you have it. 

​Well, someone else has and I've posted it — but you get the idea!