Posts by wiredharbor22

Angela Wright said:It’s not uncommon for diabetics to deal with fungal infections on their feet, particularly in the nails, which makes them thicken up.
But you don't have to be diabetic to deal with fungus.

wiredharbor22, why were you in the hospital?

It might be a fungal infection... 😲 Who should I reach out to regarding this...?

I had some abdominal pain that lasted for a few days, but since it intensified in the evening, I didn't see my doctor until later... She’s a bit of a worrier, so she sent me straight to the emergency room at Mayo Clinic. I spent the entire day there, mostly just waiting in the internal medicine waiting area, only to be told in the end that it was just cramps... 😕 Then the next day passed without a second thought, so I didn't even seek treatment...

Sometimes I go through phases where various symptoms crop up, only to vanish just as quickly. It feels as though a collection of minor ailments builds up all at once... then suddenly subsides... 😁

fadedmarlin402 said:Your diabetes isn't the cause here, at least not specifically regarding your nails. With diabetes, you start seeing wounds pop up out of nowhere that just won't heal, which eventually leads to tissue necrosis.

Just go see a podiatrist, an aesthetician, or whatever—someone who handles feet—and ask them. If they tell you it's a medical issue, then head to a doctor. That nail situation doesn't sit right with me. It might actually be a surgical matter rather than something for a butcher to handle. 😁

Yes, they do. That's your glucose...

I'm not a fan either, honey. 🙂 😁

Actually, that sounds like a solid plan. As soon as I save up enough money (which will probably only happen once I start giving orders 😁), I'll go. Hmm. I like the idea...

As for blood sugar, my labs were actually perfect. But that was last year back in November when I was hospitalized. 😁

driftingcanyon16 said:Wait, aren't you supposed to be a moderator?
😁If that's the case, then just go ahead and ban them already...

But I can't, because they just think I'm being difficult. 😢 😁

Angela Wright said:I have no clue, but you really need to go check those levels. Trust me, if your blood sugar is spiraling out of control, your nails are going to be the least of your worries.
And honestly, there's a chance you're just dealing with a fungal infection. That's definitely on the table.

It's been going on for such a long time now. How can I find out if it's a fungus?

As for my blood sugar, when I get my routine blood work done, do they check that too?

driftingcanyon16 said:Maybe post a photo so we can take a look?
maybe you're just shaving them
I have a friend who isn't really a fan of feet in general, so she's not exactly the best judge of what looks good or not
if that's even an option
come on, just post a photo, be brave😁

I'm not a fan of feet either, if we're being honest. 😁

I'm not sure how useful this is for me. I assume everyone will just call me stupid and say I'm wasting my time (much like my boyfriend does), but on the other hand, that image might follow me later. Someone might point out my hideous toes every time I join a discussion on a forum, because that's my Achilles' heel. Except it's not a heel, and I am not Achilles...😕 😁

Angela Wright said:You say your nails look terrible. Have you actually checked your blood sugar lately? People with diabetes often run into issues with that.

p.s. I’m kind of in the same boat as you. On my left foot, my pinky toe is actually larger than the one next to it. It just stunted. It grew normally with the rest of them until I was about six, and then it just stopped. I actually went to see an orthopedist once, but after seeing how many other kids were there with much worse deformities, I felt so self-conscious that I just turned around and went home.
It looks genetic, because my brother has the exact same issue on his right foot—though mine is definitely more pronounced. You can imagine how people stare at him when we're at the beach or when I'm just wearing flip-flops. But honestly, I don't care. My partner loves me just the same. He jokes that if I ever get lost, he'll be able to find me easier because of it.😍

The rest of my nails seem fine. Do diabetics only have trouble with their pinky toes? And I haven't been monitoring my glucose for long...

edit: I didn't see any follow-up until now. Does it bother you? Or have you just gotten used to things being this way since that doctor's visit?...

stormyheron4 said:It all depends on everything else, both physically and personality-wise. Nobody is perfect, even if some people think they are. If she happens to have perfect physical features, she’s probably got issues in her head or something else going on.

If you're asking me if I'd date a girl like that, yeah, I would, provided the rest of her looks okay and, most importantly, she's a good person who has those spiritual qualities I look for in women. Honestly, that part doesn't move the needle for me that much.

I was asking specifically about this girl. 😁 But fine, let's just say you answered. 🙄 😁

fadedmarlin402 said:No surgeon is going to amputate your fingers just because you think they’re ugly. If you’re really that desperate about it, you’d have better luck talking to a butcher...

You claim your nails look weird, that they seem to grow from two different spots and create some kind of destructive interference (as if we were discussing wave 😁 interference)? Look, if your nails are actually growing in an irregular way, that's a job for a general surgeon. And as for the swelling... maybe they're ingrown? Honestly, you should just rip them out and let new ones grow in...

As for the whole beauty thing... since when do two little toes define a person's appearance? Since when is that what makes a first impression in life, which is the most important thing? Come on, get serious...

Do you have a specific butcher in mind? 😉 Good grief, Jesus! 😁

Yes, like waves. Matter waves. 😬
And I don't think they're ingrown, because apparently, that hurts a lot...

I'm not saying that defines a person or that it's the most important thing in the world. I'm just asking about the possibilities...

gentlehound9 said:Fine, you think it’s rude, but I think it fits perfectly right there.
To each their own.
And that bolded part? It had me cracking up. Seriously, why all the drama over them when you've got a massive hunchback on your spine.
As if everyone else in the world is flawless and doesn't have a single imperfect body part.
For the record, my pinkies are also weirdly shaped and have double nails. Something similar to yours. And yeah, people have laughed at them before. So what? I'm certainly not cutting them off or throwing a tantrum for days over this 🙄

I'm glad I can make you laugh...

And am I being dramatic? Perhaps it's just how I express myself. My fingers seem to pull these thoughts right out of me. It's not that I think this is such a huge issue, but I have definitely given it some thought. I started wondering if something like that would even be possible and what the impact might be. I probably wouldn't be worrying about it if I didn't have such wide feet. Finding shoes is a constant struggle since everything feels too tight, and I eventually made the connection. It's like the story of Cinderella. It's all connected...

placidjackal36 said:First off, it’s going to look completely ridiculous. But honestly, that’s minor compared to the fact that you should probably be focusing on not tripping over your own feet. 😁
Good grief, woman, what on earth are you talking about? 😂 Give me a break. 🙂
I can't wait to see the photos.

That's one thing. But cutting things away? Good lord.
😁

I've always had a soft spot for the expression "woman of God." It just hits different... similar to how some old-fashioned sayings used to feel... 😕 😁

I have to admit, I feel like I'm relying on those toes just a little bit anyway... 🤷

I'm a bit tipsy right now and can't take any photos. It's too dark, anyway...

That’s more like it. But man, that's quite an undertaking... 😁

I honestly don't see what there is to fix here. Those nails are never going to grow back normally...

I might be able to post some photos tomorrow. I don't have any natural light right now, and my schedule is just too packed. I'm in quite a rush. Thank you all for trying to help me... 👋

Joseph Wright5 said:Look, if that’s actually eating at you, you might want to go chat with a therapist. Honestly, nobody cares about an ugly pinky finger unless there’s something way deeper going on under the surface. It’s clearly something stuck in your head—it’s got nothing to do with the finger itself. Because let's be real, if it wasn't the finger, you'd just find something else to obsess over.
I was just messaging a friend of mine who basically has zero facial features—like, seriously—and then I see this person here crying over a finger. Aaaaah... man, go work on your mental health, that's what you really need.

Hmm, I think I'd feel a bit silly walking into a psychologist's office just to say my fingers are ugly. 😕 I might as well mention my parents don't love me while I'm at it. 🤷

It's not a bad idea, actually. I've thought about it quite a bit, but everyone who knows me tells me I'm just overreacting and that there's no reason to see a therapist...🤷

@copperrider20: Aren't flat feet considered a problem? Personally, I don't think they would throw my balance off that much.

@wearygardener19: No crude finger jokes come to mind, though I could certainly find ways to bring myself down with them.😢

But I actually enjoy solving other people's problems!

So, you're saying you wouldn't recommend surgery at all... instead, I should try to find a way to accept it and discover some inner strength through the process?

Can you actually "remove" capillaries? 😲

And I’m starting to find this concept of using my unsightly fingers as detectors for true friendship somewhat appealing. 🙂 Do you think it's wise to vet people immediately upon meeting them, or should I wait a while...

You don't seem to notice, which is exactly why I enjoy our chats. 🙂

Anyway, I am honestly so relieved that autumn is finally on its way and we can stop wearing open shoes...

I'm heading out now. I really hope people continue to share their thoughts on this. It's become quite a preoccupation for me, even though I have an exam next week and really shouldn't be letting my mind wander like this...

copperfox22 said:well, they’ll leave a lasting impression too, I suppose.🤣

Alright, honey, just let me know. There's always a way to fix things 🙂 (or so my girlfriend tells me when I start acting like a total idiot 🤣).

That’s exactly what I want—to only have memories left of them. 😉

Thank you!

Actually, Endymion has me worried now. He usually knows exactly what he's talking about. :/

copperfox22 said:I honestly wouldn't know. It's likely pretty expensive, though saving up for an "essential" isn't exactly a huge struggle 😁....(okay, fine, I'm joking).

I think the first logical step would be seeing an orthopedic specialist. If you want, I can look into specific options regarding the TMJ and let you know (I only know one top-tier pediatric orthopedist, though). They should be able to point you in the right direction for next steps.

That is kind of you. Once I know the costs and potential risks, I could weigh my options better. Looking at it again (this right one feels worse), I just hate it. Still, I'd rather spend a significant amount of money on a beautiful trip that stays with me forever, than on these little aches...

copperfox22 said:I’m not telling you that you have to love it—I completely get where you're coming from... I have something myself that I want to get rid of so badly, but I can hide it pretty easily 🙂...it just weighs on me too much😬

I honestly don't know where else to turn. I wanted to check here since there are people who actually understand what this is like.

Have you thought about checking out one of the specialized clinics?

Which ones?

The reality is I just don't have the funds for something like this, so I'd have to save up. My father would probably send me... somewhere if I brought this up to him. I'm also wondering if health insurance might cover it? My friends are debating how things like ear surgery or breast reduction can be covered by insurance. I'd imagine this falls into that same category...

stormyheron4 said:Oh man, what an absolutely brutal thread title 😲 Look, you can't view things that way. Have some self-respect. Just because you think your toes look a certain way doesn't mean they actually are that ugly. I honestly think you're letting this weigh you down unnecessarily, and you should probably focus on working on that mindset instead of trying to fix your feet. I know a woman who has a pinky toe that sits almost right on top of her foot, and she rocks open-toed shoes and sandals all summer without a single complex about it.

I mentioned that people have actually told me to my face that they look terrible. It’s possible I am overthinking things—since I tend to overthink everything—but I don't know how to stop. They are just there. No matter how much I tell myself it doesn't matter, one single glance at them destroys everything I've tried to build up...

Question: Would you find a woman like that attractive, even with messed-up toes?

copperfox22 said:My sister was born with her fourth and fifth toes fused together—it’s purely genetic, since my dad had the same thing happening with his fingers—plus she had this extra growth that basically functioned like a sixth toe.
She went through a series of surgeries back in the mid-90s at a hospital in Chicago, if I remember correctly. To be honest, the results weren't exactly perfect, and she really struggled with it for a long time, especially when it came to wearing closed-toe shoes during the summer, despite being an incredibly beautiful woman. As the years passed, though, she learned to accept it, and I think she’s even reached a point where she actually "loves" her little quirk, as she calls it 🙂.

Nowadays, with how advanced cosmetic surgery has become in cities like New York or LA, I imagine there are so many more options available than there were back then. If anyone is dealing with something similar, I'd definitely suggest seeking out some professional medical advice 🙂.

There is no way I could ever love this. And calling it a "quirk" feels wrong because I always associate it with this struggle. :/

I'm not sure where else to turn. I wanted to ask here, since there are people who actually understand...

placidjackal36 said:No, cutting them off would be a total disaster. She’d struggle just to walk, let alone STAND...

Just get real about it. Are they really that hideous? To some people, they might actually look fine.

What kind of issues? Could you explain that to me?

They are. When I mentioned it to my boyfriend a while ago, he said they weren't, but that's just what people say to comfort you. I noticed him looking at them much more often after that. Perhaps I shouldn't have brought it up...

I said the same thing to my sister, but she didn't take me seriously at all. She just thinks I'm being funny.

copperrider20 said:a) that would seriously mess with your balance—think about how much it’d screw up your ability to walk or run properly...

b) hey, go vent about it over on this thread:

a) How can I be sure? Honestly, my gait feels off already. Everything seems tilted inward. It might be because I refused to rely on those little weaklings...🤷

b) I saw that thread, but it feels like half of it is staged. Besides, you could just as easily obsess over other topics, like photos in magazines...🤷 Some people there have genuinely messed up feet, but mine are fine; it's just these damn things that bother me...🤷

I noticed you posted this under the world champion of stupidity category. I think that's pretty rude, considering you have no idea what it's actually like to live with fingers like those.

Beyond that, I don't see the stupidity. Jesus said, "If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off." I'm just taking Him literally.

gentlehound9 said:Have you ever just considered... I don't know, not wearing open-toed shoes if they bother you that much?
I wouldn't say my own feet are hideous or anything, but I still feel awkward showing them off in public. So, I just buy sandals that have more coverage over the toes. Problem solved. No big deal.
Honestly, going through something so extreme without a legitimate reason seems like overkill. It’s not like you can just, oh, clip them off and call it a day.

Well, I have thought about it, and I spent a good portion of my life wearing shoes that way. But you know how it gets during the summer—your feet just sweat so much... The less shoe, the better. I actually have these pink sandals that are gorgeous and hide my ingrown nails perfectly, but I can't wear them all the time. Is it worth dressing up just to run to the corner store?

I don't know anything about that surgery or if anyone actually does it.
I also know that people get silicone implants because of insecurities, or they get nose jobs, lip fillers, liposuction, and all sorts of things.
So why shouldn't someone just trim this little part for me?