Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I have an ingrown toenail issue that I've tried to treat and its still not fungus-free. I want to wear sandals and flip flops but feel self-conscious about how the nail looks. Got any suggestions?

Signed,

Foot Fungus Fellow

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Dear F.F.F.,

If the treatment you tried before didn't work then let your doctor know so you can try another option. Ingrown toenails are a lot more common than people believe and there is more than one way to treat them. Depending on the severity of your toe fungus, there are home remedies, topical treatments and oral medicines (most commonly Lamisil and Sporanox) that you could try.

If you tried over the counter medications before consulting a doctor, then your next move should be to find a podiatrist who can assess the severity of your issue and get you started on a regimen that will work for you.

While waiting the average 3-to-6 months to see results from treatment, look into having pedicures at least twice a month to ensure your other nail beds are fungus-free and help keep them that way. Regular care of your infected toenail will also help stimulate new growth and reduce the severity of your ingrown toenail's glaring difference in appearance. If you aren't comfortable going to a salon for the service, then DIY from the comfort of your own home. The combination of medical treatment with regular pedicures should put your ingrown toenail on the road to recovery and clarity.

You could also mask the toenail's discoloration with a little nail polish. You could paint just that nail, the same toenail on the opposite foot for consistency or all of them. Its just one way you can wear sandals without feeling as self-conscious. Now that more and more guys are comfortable getting pedicures (thank goodness; it took long enough!) you can definitely get away with wearing toe polish, so pick a neutral color and go with it. Or break with convention and go for an unexpected pop of color. Either way, when someone looks at your feet you can be assured that they're marveling at how clean, well-kept and, ahem, "polished" your toes are.

For more information on ingrown toenails step this way.

Have a fashion question? Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com