{"id":144,"date":"2023-12-29T21:51:40","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T21:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/?p=144"},"modified":"2023-12-29T21:53:48","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T21:53:48","slug":"why-does-my-big-toe-nail-hurt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/why-does-my-big-toe-nail-hurt\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does My Big Toe Nail Hurt? A Comprehensive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you’ve ever experienced pain or discomfort in your big toe nail, you’re not alone. Many people deal with big toe nail issues like ingrown toenails, fungal infections, and trauma from tight shoes or stubbing.<\/p>\n
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Your big toe nail likely hurts due to inflammation or injury caused by ingrown toenails, fungal infections, repeated trauma, poor footwear, or medical conditions like arthritis or gout<\/b>.<\/p>\n
In this comprehensive 3000 word guide, we will cover all the common causes of big toe nail pain and discomfort. We’ll discuss symptoms, diagnosis, home remedies, medical treatments, prevention tips, and when to see a doctor.<\/p>\n
With the right information, you can get relief and restore your big toe nail health.<\/p>\n
Ingrown toenails are one of the most common causes of pain and discomfort in the big toe nail. An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail grows into the skin on the sides of the nail, causing irritation, swelling, and infection. This can lead to significant pain, redness, and swelling in the toe.<\/p>\n
Ingrown toenails usually affect the big toe, and are caused by improper nail trimming, injury, tight shoes, or excessively curved nails that dig into the skin. Treatment involves soaking the foot, using cotton wedges to lift the nail edge off of the skin, and in severe cases, minor surgery to remove the side of the nail.<\/p>\n
Toenail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis, is another very common cause of big toe nail pain. It is caused by a fungal infection under or on top of the nail. Fungus thrives in warm, moist environments like shoes and socks. Symptoms include thickened, discolored nails with debris accumulation.<\/p>\n
As the infection worsens, the nail can become brittle and crumbly. Fungal nail infections cause pain, inflammation, and discomfort. Oral and topical medications can treat fungal infections. However, infections may recur if the fungi are not fully eradicated.<\/p>\n
Repeated trauma to the toe nail can also lead to big toe nail pain. Friction from shoes that are too tight causes irritation and inflammation under and around the nail. This can be quite painful. Runners and athletes are prone to developing \u201crunner’s toe\u201d, an irritation of the nail bed.<\/p>\n
Other activities like kicking or repetitive rubbing against shoes can also traumatize the nail. Using proper footwear, padding and taping the toe, and avoiding irritation can help prevent this type of discomfort.<\/p>\n
Some systemic medical conditions can contribute to toenail pain. Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis which causes joint cartilage breakdown, commonly affects the big toe joint. This can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling extending to the nail area.<\/p>\n
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis resulting from uric acid crystal buildup in the joints. The big toe joint is often the first area affected in gout. This causes red, hot, and extremely painful big toe joints.<\/p>\n
Treating the underlying arthritis or gout with medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery can help improve big toenail pain from these conditions.<\/p>\n
One of the most common symptoms of an irritated or injured big toenail is redness and swelling around the nail. This occurs as a result of inflammation and increased blood flow to the area. You may notice the skin around your toenail appears red, warm, and puffy.<\/p>\n
The swelling can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause and severity of the injury or irritation.<\/p>\n
Over time, chronic irritation or injury to the big toenail can cause the nail to thicken. This is the toenail’s natural reaction as it tries to protect itself from damage. A thicker toenail is harder and more rigid than a normal healthy nail.<\/p>\n
In some cases, it may start to take on a yellowish, opaque appearance as well. The thickened part of the nail can feel painful if pressure is applied.<\/p>\n
An injured or chronically irritated big toenail may start to change color or shape. Trauma like stubbing your toe can cause blood to collect under the nail, resulting in blackish discoloration.<\/b> Fungal infections can leave the nail thick, brittle, and crumbly with white spots or streaks.<\/p>\n
Repeated friction and pressure can distort the toenail’s natural shape, causing it to curve, lift up, or appear rippled.<\/p>\n
It’s common to experience pain and tenderness with an irritated or damaged big toenail. You may feel throbbing, sharp pain when pressure is applied to the nail. Even light touch can cause discomfort. The severity of pain often correlates with the extent of injury or irritation.<\/p>\n
Mild fungal infections may cause only mild discomfort, while a badly stubbed or ingrown toenail can be quite painful.<\/p>\n
The presence of pus or drainage around an affected toenail is a sign of infection. This typically occurs when bacteria enter the nail bed, often through a crack or penetrating wound. The pus is composed of dead white blood cells, tissue debris, and infectious exudate.<\/p>\n
Pus is usually yellowish or greenish in color with a foul odor. See a doctor right away if your toenail develops pus or drainage, as antibiotics may be needed.<\/p>\n
If the pain in your big toe nail becomes unbearable or keeps you up at night, it’s time to see a podiatrist. Severe, throbbing pain that doesn’t get better with over-the-counter medication could indicate an infection or other serious condition that needs medical treatment.<\/p>\n
Don’t try to tough it out – get it checked out.<\/p>\n
Noticeable redness and swelling around or under the toenail is a telltale sign of infection. Infection requires prescription antibiotic treatment to clear it up. Left untreated, it could spread to the bone and lead to serious complications.<\/p>\n
Play it safe and make an appointment if you see these symptoms.<\/p>\n
Yellow, green or foul-smelling drainage or pus coming from the nail is a clear indicator that you have an infection. This needs professional treatment right away to prevent the infection from becoming severe or spreading. Don’t wait around hoping it will get better on its own.<\/p>\n
Running a fever along with toe nail pain could mean the infection has spread into your bloodstream. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate care to bring the infection under control before it becomes life-threatening.<\/p>\n
Call your doctor or go to urgent care if you have a fever over 100\u00b0F (37.8\u00b0C).<\/p>\n
Bleeding under or around an ingrown toenail is fairly common, but still merits a doctor’s visit to make sure its not infected. Applying pressure and antibiotic ointment may stop minor bleeding, but it will likely keep recurring until the ingrown nail is professionally removed.<\/p>\n
Leaving it risks serious infection.<\/p>\n
It’s not normal for a toenail to become loose or fall off spontaneously without injury. This can indicate an underlying health condition such as thyroid disease, anemia, or poor circulation. Schedule an exam so the cause can be properly diagnosed and treated.<\/p>\n
A black toenail can mean you have a harmless subungual hematoma (bruising under the nail). But it also might indicate a serious problem like melanoma. Have your doctor check it out to determine the cause and rule out any dangerous conditions.<\/p>\n
Experiencing numbness, pins and needles, or a burning sensation in your toe could point to nerve damage or neuropathy. Diabetes is a common cause. These symptoms shouldn’t be ignored since nerve problems tend to get worse over time if left untreated.<\/p>\n
Certain health conditions like diabetes and peripheral artery disease can make you more prone to toenail problems. Unexplained nail pain may be the first sign that you have one of these conditions. It’s important to get checked out so it can be caught early before complications develop.<\/p>\n
Doctors may prescribe oral medications like NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to help reduce inflammation and pain associated with big toe nail issues (source<\/a>). These medications can provide relief while allowing the nail time to grow out properly.<\/p>\n Topical numbing creams containing lidocaine may also help temporarily numb pain.<\/p>\n If conservative treatments fail, surgery may be an option. One common procedure is removal of part of the nail and nail bed to prevent further ingrowth. This allows the nail to grow back properly. Surgery is usually done under local anesthesia.<\/p>\n Full recovery takes a few weeks but can provide lasting relief.<\/p>\n In severe cases, the entire toenail may need to be removed through a procedure known as a matricectomy. This is typically done by administering a chemical to the nail bed to prevent regrowth. After a matricectomy, patients can walk with a special shoe in 1-2 weeks.<\/p>\n A new nail will not grow back, eliminating recurring problems (source<\/a>).<\/p>\nSurgery<\/h3>\n
Removal of Nail<\/h3>\n
Laser Therapy<\/h3>\n