Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
The index toenail of my foot broke in the middle, and the skin is very hard around the nail. The problem occurred three to four years back. My biopsy report showed signs of hyperpigmentation.
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I went through your query and understood your concern.
As per the history and image (attachment removed to protect patient's identity)provided, it is nail dystrophy. Nail dystrophy usually appears due to multiple reasons, including physical trauma, frequent exposure to water and stagnation of moisture following frequent washing of your feet, nail polishes, using soaps and harsh chemicals on feet or being exposed to them, iron deficiency, genetic factors, and so on.
My advice:
1. Aqurea HF cream (urea 40%) may be applied on toenails and the skin around the nail once daily at night for four weeks or till it gets better.
2. Soak your foot in lukewarm salt water for five minutes in the morning. After cleaning, file the nail and the thick area of skin very gently using a nail filer to make it softer. Do this procedure on alternate days in the morning, and since we are doing this frequently, make sure to do it very gently for a maximum of one minute to avoid causing trauma.
3. Oilatum emollient: Two caps full in one liter of water to be mixed, and the foot to be soaked in it for ten minutes in the evening.
4. Logifeel cream is to be applied on the nail and skin around it in the morning and afternoon to keep the area hydrated daily.
5. Capsule Omega 3 once daily at night after food for one month.
6. Capsule Evion 400 milligrams once daily in the morning after food for one month.
7. Blood tests: CBC (complete blood cell count), Hb (hemoglobin), serum iron, serum ferritin, and serum vitamin D3. These tests may be done to check for any deficiencies and for the treatment accordingly.
8. Avoid frequent foot washing, and make sure to towel dry your foot after being exposed to water.
9. Avoid harsh chemicals, soaps, and detergents coming in contact with the affected foot.
The main idea of the treatment is to reduce the thickness of the skin around the nail slightly and to tame the nails to avoid breakage.
Kindly follow up with the blood test report for providing a treatment plan further depending on the reports.
I hope this helps.
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Answered byDr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
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