This innovative approach uses a special resin applied to the nail surface, helping to guide it back into a healthier shape over time that reduces any painful curvature along borders. It’s safe and effective for nearly everyone, including children and people living with diabetes.

What Exactly Is an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail happens when the edge or corner of your toenail starts to grow into the surrounding skin. This often causes pain, redness, and develops into swelling and sensitivity. If not treated early, the area can become infected – and in more severe cases, even affect the way you walk due to the discomfort.

Common Causes of Ingrown Toenails

A number of things can contribute to the development of ingrown toenails, including:

• Tight or poorly fitting shoes
• Genetics
• Naturally curved toenails
• Toe deformities (bunions, clawed toes)
• Improper trimming (cutting nails too short or rounding the corners)
• Trauma to the nail (stubbing your toe)
• Fungal nail infections

Signs to Watch For

You might have an ingrown toenail if you notice:

• Pain when wearing shoes (especially closed-toe styles)
• Discomfort while walking, running, or putting pressure on the toe
• Redness or swelling near the nail
• Pus, bleeding, or tenderness at the nail edge
• Thickened or callused skin around the nail

What is Toenail Bracing?

At BioPed Footcare Clinics, many of our Medical Footcare Clinicians—both Nurses and Chiropodists—are trained in the use of Onyfix®, a modern nail correction system designed to ease discomfort and encourage natural, healthy nail growth. Here’s how it works:

1. A flexible resin is applied across the top of the nail.
2. It’s cured with a safe LED light, securing it in place.
3. As the resin sets, it creates a slight lift on the edges of the nail—reducing pressure and pain.
4. The brace stays on as your nail grows, gently guiding it into a straighter shape over time.
5. Most patients feel relief almost instantly. In many cases, a single application is all that’s needed, though some may benefit from follow-up treatments.

Is Onyfix® Right for You?

If you’ve been dealing with ongoing toe pain or recurring ingrown nails, Onyfix® offers a conservative, effective option that doesn’t involve cutting or surgery. There’s little downtime from your routine activities, and it can be done quickly during a routine visit to one of our clinics offering Medical Footcare.

Whether you’re looking for long-term relief or just want to stop the pain from coming back, toenail bracing with Onyfix® might be the solution you’ve been waiting for. Contact your local BioPed clinic today to see if Onyfix® toenail bracing is right for you!

The post Ingrown Toenails affecting your day-to-day life? Consider toenail bracing for relief. appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Toenail changes are common for runners and hence where the term came from. Due to the friction of running and the constant rubbing of the toenail against the shoe, the toenails can become damaged over long periods of time. Let’s break down what causes toenail pain, how it connects to things like yellow or black toenails, and what you can do to treat and prevent them.

Blood Blisters (Black toenails)

Often, we will see the friction and pressure that footwear rubbing on toes causes, resulting in bleeding underneath the toenail. This bleeding has nowhere to escape to and becomes trapped as a blister of blood under the nail. This is otherwise known as a subungual hematoma. It is one of the most common presentations that we see in a runner’s toenail.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenail pain is perhaps the most common cause for pain, and it is no stranger to runner’s toenails. With enough pressure from shoes or abutting toes, the nail can begin piercing the skin and create a source of infection. Combined with the warm and moist environment of a running shoe after 10 km, this is not ideal!

Yellow Toenails (Loose)

Toenails can even lift and loosen entirely from the skin, and cause an uncomfortable sensation with it barely hanging on. While it may not be fully loose, it may appear yellow or white – an indication it could fall off very soon. It is important to have this assessed as the newly created space below the nail and above the underlying skin encourages fungal/bacterial growth, and a deep yellow colour can be a sign of fungal infection.

Pressure and Pain

Pain and pressure related to a toenail is no walk in the park and can be cumbersome to daily activities, even outside of running. When the pain starts interfering with daily activities, we need to start addressing it.

How can we treat Runner’s Toenails?

• Wearing the appropriate footwear – the friction, pain or pressure can be caused by a poor shoe fit or the wrong shoe size, so by wearing properly fitting running shoes that are supportive, we can reduce this trauma.
• Wearing supportive Custom Foot Orthoses – Similarly to supportive footwear, orthotics can help to address the biomechanical functions of the feet and lower extremity often preventing all sorts of pain, even improving overall function.
• Drain blisters and infections – Blisters and infections must be managed by a medical professional to prevent recurrent infection and further complications.
• Ease up on training – It may not be what many runners want to hear, but after all other measures fail, it may be time to reduce the level of activity. Rest is some of the best medicine, and we can all use a break sometimes.

Toenail pain might seem like a small issue, but it can be your body’s way of telling you something needs attention—whether it’s your shoes, your training routine, or your overall foot health.

And while yellow toenails might just be from too much nail polish or a minor fungal infection, it’s worth looking into if the discoloration sticks around or is paired with pain or a loose toenail. We need to be especially cautious of more sinister black lesions on the feet, and ensure they are not at the risk of being a cancer, such as melanoma.

If you think you have a Runner’s toenail or you’re not sure, give your local BioPed a call today to find out how we can help! To find a BioPed Registered Chiropodist or Advanced Footcare Nurse, visit www.bioped.com/locations.

The post As a runner you may have ‘runner’s toenails’ – What is it, and how can you treat it. appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

When do you see a Chiropodist or a Footcare Nurse?

Footcare Nurses perform many of the treatments that Chiropodists do regarding skin and toenails. This will include the trimming of calluses, corns, amd thick or ingrown nails. They also treat warts.

As mentioned, between the two professions, only a Chiropodist can perform biomechanical exams. They will be required when you need orthotics. They can provide a prescription for the orthotics or for antibiotics. Thus, you’ll want to see a Chiropodist is you have an active infection, an open wound, or have a need for numbing with anesthesia.  They also can perform a surgical procedure where necessary.

Below, we will discuss the specific conditions where these clinicians can help you!

Ingrown Toenails

A painful condition where the nail grows into the soft tissue, by the border or edge.

Having the nail pierce or puncture the skin can be considerably painful, and occurs when the nails are curved or spiked. This can usually be prevented with proper nail-trimming technique, appropriate footwear, and education. But sometimes genetics is an unavoidable risk factor.

Both Chiropodists and Footcare nurses can use the Onyfix technology to manage ingrown toenails. This treatment is non-invasive, safe, and long lasting. It works as a brace to alleviate pressure and helps the nails grow straighter. In dire measures, Chiropodists can perform nail surgery as well.

Fungal Toenails

An infection by fungus, causing the nail to be either thick, discoloured, crumbly, smelly, or all of the above.

Fungal toenails need intervention to be fully treated and cannot be resolved on their own. Treatment can include medication, light therapy, and debridement. BioPed clinicians are trained in ToeFX treatment, which is a novel light therapy treatment that has been shown to be very effective against tricky fungal toenails. BioPed nurses offer over-the-counter medication effective against nail fungus and Chiropodists can prescribe a pharmaceutical.

If a topical medicine is used, the nail must be thin enough for the treatments to penetrate through. Chiropodists and Footcare nurses can debride the toenails and allow the treatment to be successful.

Corns and Calluses

Thick skin that can appear anywhere on the foot – bottom, top, or even in between the toes.

Caused by high pressure or friction, the skin builds up in a local area as a defense mechanism at first, but it can quickly become pathological. This build up can be painful and change the way we walk, leading to other issues up the leg.

The medical footcare team can easily care for calluses and corns, and can offer solutions on how to prevent them from coming back. Moisturizing, offloading the pressure with orthotics and quality orthopedic footwear are all excellent solutions to do so.

Plantar Warts

A viral infection. Warts are found on the bottom of the foot and are contagious.

Warts will look different than a corn or callus with a blooming or cauliflower-like appearance, along with black dotting and pain along the sides of the lesion. The virus of interest is the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can take time to fully resolve.

Similarly to corns and calluses and fungus, they need to be debrided so that medication can penetrate and cure the infection. Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses can apply topical medications such as silver nitrate or Cantharidin. For surgical procedures, Chiropodists can perform an excision or needling procedure.

Diabetes and Foot Health

A systemic disease, associated with high blood sugar, that affects the whole body with a slew of complications, especially in the foot.

Due to these complications, people with diabetes are more likely to have cold feet, infection, and even loss of nerve sensation, known as neuropathy. 70% of non-traumatic foot amputations are a result of poorly controlled diabetes.

To maintain and ensure continued foot health, BioPed Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses will monitor feet with routine care and diabetic assessments. The education provided is invaluable to keep the feet healthy through life.

Biomechanical and Musculoskeletal Pain

Found in conditions such as plantar fasciitis, clawed digits, and gait abnormalities.

Being on your feet is a natural part of life, but can also cause damage to them over them. Physically, the stress can amount to findings of deformity and pain.

When dealing with a deformity like crowded digits or clawed toes, the medical footcare team can create custom toe props or use silicone sleeves to offload pressure.

With other painful conditions, Chiropodists are able to assess the gait to address the abnormality, and proceed with surgical intervention, such as injections where necessary,

How do I book an appointment?

BioPed Registered Chiropodists and Advanced Footcare Nurses can help improve your foot health, alleviate foot pain, and get you back to doing more of what you love in life.

Contact your local BioPed and schedule an appointment to find out how a Registered Chiropodist or Advanced Footcare Nurse can help you today!

The post How Can a Chiropodist or Footcare Nurse Improve Your Foot Health? appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Ingrown Toenail – What is it?

An ingrown toenail is a common condition of the foot where the toenail is digging into the nearby skin, making the area irritated and inflamed. In severe cases, the nail can pierce the skin and cause infection.

The most common type of ingrown nail that we see is an involuted toenail, which takes on a curved shape. The curvature creates a distinct pressure point at the edges and can be very painful and difficult to manage.

Ingrown Toenails and Causes

• Genetics – Naturally Occuring
• Cutting your nails too short
• Sports and Injuries
• Fungal Infections
• Tight and poor-fitting shoes

Signs and Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

• Pain at the sides or tip of your toe
• Pain occurring with pressure, walking, or other activity
• Redness, swelling, tingling
• Hard, thick skin building up at the corners – otherwise known as callus
• Infection – blood, pus, or moisture is present

Onyfix Nail Bracing – Is it right for me?

At BioPed Footcare locations, our practitioners are trained and certified in the application of this non-invasive procedure. The nail is first prepared for application. The resin then is molded specifically for your ingrown toenail, ensuring that it accurately pulls the offending nail away from the skin. An LED blue light is used to cure and harden the brace, keeping it lasting a long time. As the nail grows, the brace continues to hold the nail and keep the curvature away from the skin.

Often, one application is sufficient to improve the condition, but complex nails may require 2-3 times. This is still a cost-effective and painless treatment that should be strongly considered for those with painful ingrown toenails.

How do I get this for my Ingrown Toenail?

After booking an appointment, your footcare nurse or chiropodist will perform an assessment to see what treatment options are best for your condition. There are several different methods, such as conservative care, cotton packing, and the invasive surgical options – but should the Onyfix nail bracing be appropriate, your practitioner could apply it the same day.

If your ingrown toenails have been paining you, do not hesitate – and book your appointment with your nearest BioPed location today! Our teams will be ecstatic to assist you and help you keep walking on without discomfort and pain.

The post Toenail Bracing – A Non-Invasive Solution for Pesky Ingrown Toenails! appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

To properly deal with toenail problems, it’s important to know what has caused them to become dry, brittle, discoloured, crumbly, smelly or painful in the first place.  Let’s explore the different causes and what can be done to help!

What Can Cause Dry, Brittle or Discoloured Toenails?

Nutrient deficiencies can affect the texture and appearance of toenails. 

• Low calcium and vitamin C may result in thin, weak, and brittle nails.
• A vitamin B12 or iron deficiency may cause the nails to become white, thin, and brittle.

Certain medical conditions influence the health of our toenails. 

• Diabetes may make a person more susceptible to fungal infections and can also affect the blood flow to the feet and toes, reducing necessary nutrients and oxygen.
• Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint inflammation and toe deformities which often results in excess pressure on toe and nails.
• Psoriasis can cause pitting in the nail plate and may result in a rough surface texture.
• HHypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid can make nails brittle.
• Lichen planus is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause thinning, ridges and splitting of the nail plate.
• Chemotherapy or radiation may also change the shape and texture of nails.

What Causes Ingrown and Fungal Toenails?

An ingrown toenail occurs when one or both sides of the nail digs into the surrounding skin.  It may or may not pierce through the skin but can result in pain and discomfort and may cause redness and swelling. If left untreated, ingrown toenails can result in significant pain and infection and could force you to change the way you walk or move to protect the affected toe. Fungal toenails are common and can be uncomfortable, thickened, misshaped, discoloured, crumbly and smelly.  Contagious in nature, they can spread from one person to another or from one toenail to another.

• Ill-Fitting Footwear that is too tight or small can cause microtrauma to the toes and nails, increasing the risk for ingrown and fungal toenails.
• Cutting toenails too short or ripping them off may leave a spike of nail in the corner.
• Toenail injury from trauma can inadvertently cause the nail to dig into the surrounding skin or it can damage the nail matrix increasing the risk for a fungal infection.
• Toe deformities, such as hammer toes and bunions change the position of toes, leading to increased pressure and injury to the nail.
• Genetics may influence the shape or curvature of the nail. This curvature can be so severe that the sides of the nail come together underneath and pinch the tissue of the nail bed, also known as a pincer nail.

How Can Toenail Problems be Addressed and Treated?

As mentioned above, our toenails are often the gateway to our overall health and well-being.  It’s crucial to be aware of any systemic issues that need medical attention.  If your toenail problems are related to microtrauma, ill-fitting footwear, toe deformities or an exaggerated curvature of the plate itself, BioPed Footcare can help!

Treatments for Toenail Problems:

• Topicals
  • Over-the-counter antifungals, such as Formula 3®, an in-solution of Tolnaftate and Jojoba oil.
  • Nail tinctures, such as Footlogix Nail Tincture Spray to address changes in texture and health or minor fungal toenail infections.
  • Prescription antifungals to fight nail fungus, such as Jublia®.
• Photodisinfection Therapy (PDT)
  • ToeFX® uses the combination of an anti-microbial serum and light is an effective treatment to eradicate toenail fungus.
• Oral medications
  • Prescription medication taken by mouth to eradicate fungus from the body, including toenails.
  • Addressing any systemic concerns, such as a vitamin deficiency or thyroid condition.

Come See Us!

If you are suffering with dry, brittle, or discoloured toenails, or an ingrown toenail or fungal infection, book an appointment with a BioPed lower limb clinician to figure out why and what solution could be best for you.  We’d love to hear from you!

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