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Understanding and Managing Blister Infections on Toes

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blister infection on toes

How to Prevent, Treat, and Recognize Potential Issues

Experiencing a blister on your toe is a common occurrence, often resulting from pressure or rubbing. Given that the foot is the foundation of your body and bears the entirety of your body weight, blisters are almost inevitable. Whether caused by new shoes, a lengthy hike, or glamorous yet uncomfortable heels, blisters are generally not a cause for alarm. This blog delves into the causes, prevention, and treatment of blister infections on toes.

What Causes a Blister to Form?

Pressure and friction on the skin can lead to the development of blisters, often referred to as friction blisters. This occurs when excessive pressure breaks down the skin, causing the outer layer (epidermis) to separate from the tissues beneath, filling the area with fluid. Blood blisters may also form if trauma causes bleeding under the outer skin layer. Eventually, the thin layer of skin peels away, making room for new skin to develop.

Why is it Painful When you get a Blister Infection on your Toes?

Disrupting the outer layer of skin exposes a deeper layer, activating small nerves that signal pain to discourage the triggering activity. The fluid-filled area adds pressure, contributing to the pain. Draining the fluid by breaking the blister often reduces pain.

Preventing a Blister Formation

  • Shoes: Avoid poorly fitting shoes, ensuring they are wide enough, especially for foot deformities like bunions. Break in new shoes before engaging in prolonged activities.
  • Padding the Area: Use moleskin or similar padding on areas prone to blisters.
  • Socks: Choose socks with adequate padding, avoiding overly thin materials. Consider materials like polyester to wick away moisture.
  • Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: Recognize that this disease can cause blisters on the feet, typically in children under five, and differs from regular blisters. Handwashing is crucial for prevention.

Treating Blister Infections on Toes

  • Eliminate the cause: Stop wearing shoes or reduce the activity.
  • Clean the area with soap and water to prevent infection.
  • Apply a triple antibiotic ointment, like Neosporin.
  • Consider padding the area with gauze to reduce pressure.
  • Generally, avoid popping the blister to allow natural healing. However, in some cases, it may be advisable for relief or if signs of infection appear.

When to Seek Professional help for a Blister Infection on Toes

In most cases, a visit to the podiatrist is unnecessary. However most people overlook blister infections on toes because they underestimate the issue.

  • If the blister is infected with significant redness and drainage, professional evaluation by an experienced podiatrist is recommended.
  • For diabetic individuals, seeking attention from a podiatrist is crucial due to reduced pain sensitivity and impaired circulation, putting them at higher risk.

Don’t ignore potential issues; early intervention can prevent complications.

Call us today at our Fort Collins location (970) 484-4620, Broomfield location (720) 259-5053 or use our online scheduling system to book your appointment.

Ingrown Toenails: Treatments and Five Things You Can Do

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Ingrown toenails can be one of the most painful foot conditions one can experience. But did you know that ingrown toenails can sometimes be treated with home remedies? Here, we’ll discuss what you should do and when it is appropriate to seek professional attention for ingrown toenail treatment. 

Ingrown Toenail TreatmentsWhat exactly is an ingrown toenail?

As the name implies, you would assume the nail is cutting into your flesh and getting buried into the skin. However, this is not the case. It simply means the hard nail is being an irritant to the skin next to it and in some cases, it can actually cause a breakdown in your skin. If the toenail is not clean, it is likely that bacteria will get into the skin where the breakdown occurs.

What causes an ingrown toenail?

Tight fitting shoes could start the problem,  so make sure you do not wear shoes that are too narrow or too short.  Proper sizing is important.

Trauma – If you drop something heavy like a frozen turkey on your toenail it may cause it to injure the flesh around it, thus causing the nail to dig in.  You could also lose the nail in which case it may grow back deformed and then grow in.

Congenital nails – Ingrown nails may be caused by genetics factors than most would expect. It is not uncommon to hear patients say they are getting an ingrown nail just like their dad did when he was their age. 

Improper trimming – It’s important to be careful when trimming your nails. It is true that you should trim your nails straight across. However, you must be careful not to leave a sharp corner on the nail; it is okay to round that corner slightly in some cases. Also, trimming your nails too short should be avoided.   

Fungus – A fungal infection of the nail can deform it. The nail can become more curved and grow in on the side. Or it may be thickened, and this can also cause more pressure in the middle or sides of the nail.

Foot deformities – If you have toes that deviate, such as a hammertoe or a bunion, the nail may grow in as a result of this. The big toe rubbing against the second toe in the case of a bunion, is a great example. 

What should you do if you have an ingrown nail?

Early treatment is important. At first, if the pain is minimal with little to no redness along the side of the nail, you should start treatment. Here are some things you can do to control it:

Soak your foot in soapy water three to four times a day for 10-20 minutes. Dry your foot well and apply an antibiotic cream such as Neosporin.

Get out of your closed shoe as much as possible if it is possible.

Try to gently massage the skin, always from the nail edge. Using coconut oil would be ideal when you do this. 

If it is just the tip of the nail edge digging in, you might be able to lift the nail up and use dental floss. It is important to consider using waxed floss. 

ingrown toenail

When to seek medical attention?

If you made the attempts I have suggested, and the pain persists, then it is time to get a professional opinion on your ingrown toenail treatment. Also, there is no deadline as to when you can see the doctor. If your toe is very painful; either red, hot or draining pus, you must make sure you call your podiatrist. No amount of the home care I have suggested may help in this situation. 

If you are a diabetic or have problems with poor circulation or have a medical condition that has negative effects on your nervous system, you must immediately see a doctor. 

What will the doctor do at the office visit? 

In a situation where the edge of the nail is digging, the nail edge may need to be removed. A portion of the nail border or borders may need to be removed. When the edge is removed, in most cases, a chemical is applied that kills the cells that form the nail. No sutures and incisions are used, and most patients do not take medication for pain. In most cases, the patient may go back to work the next day and can work full time. 

There is a possibility of a fungal nail. If the nail is not infected and not as severe in many cases, treating the fungus may restore more normal nail growth and therefore reduce the thickness and nail deformity. There are several treatment options the doctor may speak to you about. This includes the use of topicals, oral medication or laser nail treatment. Of these three,  laser nail treatment is the most successful. Be aware that not all podiatrists offer to do a laser treatment. So you may consider that when getting a professional opinion of your ingrown nail, especially if you have yellow,thickened and deformed nails.    

Now that you know all about ingrown toenail treatment, you will have a more informed plan of action if this happens to you. 

How to Get Rid of Stubborn Toenail Infection

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Toenail fungus causes peeled, yellow tones, and breaking toenails. It can make one feel self-conscience, especially when wearing open toed shoes. People who suffer from it often feel frustrated with the endless antifungal creams and ointments that just don’t seem to work. If this describes you, don’t worry; you are not alone and there is hope to ridding your feet of that stubborn toenail fungus.

You can encounter fungus almost anywhere, so infection is common. Fungus is most prevalent in wet, warm, damp places, such as public pools and showers, and inside close toed shoes. It also accumulates in nail salons that reuse and do not sterilize their instruments and basins between customers. So, naturally, your feet are a big target.

Also, if you are wondering why you seem to contract the infection more than others, it’s because some people are more susceptible to it than others, depending on their individual immune systems. In fact, up to 20% of the population has this condition.

Here are some facts to keep in mind:

  • Fungal infections normally develop over time so symptoms are subtle at first. Affected nail side effects include: scaling under the nail, white or yellow streaks on the nail, crumbling nails, flaky white areas and pits on the surface of the nail, yellow spots, and sometimes complete loss of the nail.
  • Fungal infections may be contagious, so if you come in contact with someone who has an infected nail you may contract an infection as well.
  • The fungi that causes nail infections is the same that causes jock itch, athlete’s foot, and ringworm, though it is often harder to treat.
  • Fungus affects men more than women, and adults more than children.
  • Fungal nails are usually more resistant and difficult to treat- topical antifungal or oral medications work better to prevent it rather than treat it.

A fungal nail infection, though usually painless, is frustrating and very stubborn. You may feel discouraged not knowing how to rid yourself of this pesky ailment, but there are options in how to remove it as well:

  1. Laser Therapy for toenail fungus is one of the most effective ways to get rid of it. The Pinpointe Foot Laser at the Laser Nail Center at Anderson Podiatry Center is the first FDA approved laser for treating stubborn conditions. Also, unlike other multi-use lasers, our Foot Laser is specifically designed for nails and therefore has a high effective rate. We also have been treating nail fungus since 2008, longer than any other office in the area and were the first to introduce this treatment to the Rocky Mountain Region!
  2. Taking preventative measures will help ensure that once you do get rid of your condition you don’t just end up getting it again.
    1. Keep your feet and toes dry- let your shoes dry out after wearing them and change your socks when they are damp.
    2. Use antifungal cream regularly, and spray your shoes with antifungal spray to help keep any fungus on your skin or shoes at bay.
    3. Don’t share nail clippers or nail files.
    4. Don’t share your shoes or socks with other people- remember,
    5. When using a public pool or shower make sure to wear shower shoes.
    6. Ensuring you only go to spas that sanitize their basins a
      nd tools between each use.

If you have stubborn toenail fungus don’t suffer from it a day longer! Be rid of it once and for all, and enjoy wearing your summer shoes again! Come visit your podiatrist in Fort Collins or Broomfield for further consultation.