Neosporin

Dear Dr. SerVaas,

I want to share some information that might help others avoid ingrown toenails.

I have a bunion and recently developed ingrown toenails on both feet. When I went to the foot doctor, he told me that it would take 24 hours after cutting out the toenails before I could play golf again.

It occurred to me that my ingrown toenails had come about after I had been doing my own pedicure. I was cutting the nails short and rounding them into the corners. My doctor told me that they should be cut straight across and left somewhat longer. He also suggested that rubbing Neosporin (an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment) into the sore areas would help. It did and I decided to forego the surgery.

via e-mail

As you mention, squaring off toenails can help prevent the painful condition. Using toe guards and wearing roomy, comfortable shoes is important, too. If you even think that an ingrown toenail is emerging, put some Neosporin ointment on a piece of cotton and dab it between the flesh and the toenail.

Bunions are misaligned big-toe joints that become swollen and painful. They tend to run in families, and preventive measures don't help, according to all the best podiatrists. It seems accepted that if you've inherited problem genes from an ancestor, surgery is inevitable at some point.

But bunion surgery can take you off the golf course and walking trails for many weeks. We think there may still be more to learn about how to delay the onset of bunions, even if you're programmed to develop them as you age.

Orthopedics expert Dr. Angela Smith advises that toe-strengthening exercises can sometimes stop bunions in their tracks. (See "Training for Your Toes" at right.) Of course, wearing wedge, crepe-soled shoes that are wide enough for your feet is the first step in keeping feet healthy. Shoe orthotics and arch supports distribute one's weight over a greater area of the foot and may also relieve foot discomfort and help prevent common foot problems.

Training for Your Toes

Toe Spread: Practice this by sitting in a chair with your heel on the floor. Press into the floor with your big toe and spread toes apart. Once you have mastered this, you will be able to spread your toes without having the big toe on the floor. For the exercises, spread toes apart. Hold this position for five seconds and repeat ten times.

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Marble Pickup: Place 20 marbles on the floor. Pick up one marble at a time and put them in a small bowl. Do this exercise until you have picked up all 20 marbles.

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Eat the Towel: Place a small towel on the floor. Sitting in a chair, with your heel on the floor, use your toes to bunch up the towel under your arch. You can increase the resistance by putting a weight on the end of the towel. Relax and repeat this exercise five times.

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Toe Raise, Toe Curl: These non-weight-bearing exercises can be performed while sitting in a chair. Hold each position for five seconds and repeat ten times.

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