Question 1

should i get my extra toe removed its really embarrassing to me. i want to be the same as everyone else. :(

Accepted Answer

If : If you don't like it, then having it removed is worth considering.  You should call an orthopedic or plastic surgeon in your area for an evaluation and discuss the pros and cons of having surgery to remove it.  Remember, an evaluation is just that - it doesn't force you into anything.  If you don't know who to call, then call your primary care doctor for a recommendation.  Good luck!

Question 2

my 8 month old daughter has an extra toe. at birth they said it will have to be surgically removed because there is a nail and a bone. when would be the best time to have this done? early before she walks or later like at 3 years old.

Accepted Answer

Ask your doc: Some of these hang by a thin stalk of tissue &amp; some take the form of a real toe, attachments &amp; all. The thin stalk hangers can be tied off at birth (they fall off). Those with mass are usually done later, after a year of age but usually require general anesthesia. When this is done may depend on the comfort level of the local surgeon/anesthesia team that does the work. sooner is better.

Question 3

why did everyone in delivery room go quiet when my baby was born? i think she is beautiful even if extra toes, fingers.

Accepted Answer

Extra digits: Extra digits occur and if they are such that they may cause biomechanical issues, they can be removed. An evaluation of what bones are duplicated must be done in order to remove the accessory or supranumerary. Children recover well from this. All children, even those with extra digits are beautiful!

Question 4

could hexadactyly (extra fingers/toes) be a sign of other problems?

Accepted Answer

Hexadactyly: Polydactyly  (hexadactyly) is a pretty common birth defect which is often a harmless and isolated finding.  Sometimes it can be associated with other disorders such as greig syndrome or pallister -hall syndrome.

Question 5

can hexadactyly (extra fingers/toes) be a sign of other problems? can any docs explain?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Usually this is an isolated finding related to abnormal differentiation of the germinal tissue responsible for production of the fingers in the fetus. However it can be associated with other genetic abnormalities and syndromes and should be explored further by a hand surgeon or pediatrician

Question 6

why is it considered a disability if you have more finger than normal? you could probably do loads more with these extra fingers and toes, right?

Accepted Answer

Disability: Extra fingers and toes, besides cosmetic disparity, are not as practical as it sounds.  An extra finger or toe can have the same tendons, muscles, bones, nerves as regular fingers, but more commonly, they are less functional because they lack the same anatomy as "normal" fingers and toes.  In my experience, most extra toes can have the same skin appearance but lack function and "normal" ability.

Question 7

need docs answers! what genetic related disorder results in extra fingers and toes?

Accepted Answer

Extra digits.: Polydactyly  (hexadactyly) is a pretty common birth defect which is often a harmless and isolated finding.  Sometimes it can be associated with other disorders such as greig syndrome or pallister -hall syndrome.

Question 8

what can i do to clear up the excess under the nails of my big toes ?

Accepted Answer

Onychomycosis: Thickness of nails could be due to fungal infection. A foot doctor could help. Treatment could include oral meds, local debriddement and use of topicals . Treatment takes along time.

Question 9

both little toes are red from rubbing in my sneakers.  i put toe pads on them but they don't help.  would extra wide sneakers eliminate the problem?

Accepted Answer

check the toe box: Look for a shoe with a wide and deep toe box.  It's based on the shape of the shoe rather than buying a "wide" shoe.  When you buy a wide shoe the whole shoe width is increased - it may be too loose in the back then.  As for toe pads, avoid using them too because you have not increased the pressure at the site you want to relieve.  Consider toe sleeves instead which slip over the toe.

Question 10

i have an extra hard layer of skin on my index toe and when water touches it, it turn white. i assume it's extra skin so i clip it off but it keeps re?

Accepted Answer

I would recommend : You see a foot doctor. Often times in addition to a dermatological problem a biomechanics etiology may be present. So if the toe is too long there may be increased friction or shearing forces on the digit causing the problem. A foot doctor can decide if ellipsing a skin wedge or perhaps removing some bone to shorten the toe can help.

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Doctor answers about:

Extra toe

A member asked:

Should i get my extra toe removed its really embarrassing to me. i want to be the same as everyone else. :(

A member asked:

My 8 month old daughter has an extra toe. at birth they said it will have to be surgically removed because there is a nail and a bone. when would be the best time to have this done? early before she walks or later like at 3 years old.

A member asked:

Why did everyone in delivery room go quiet when my baby was born? i think she is beautiful even if extra toes, fingers.

A member asked:

Could hexadactyly (extra fingers/toes) be a sign of other problems?

A member asked:

Can hexadactyly (extra fingers/toes) be a sign of other problems? can any docs explain?

A member asked:

Why is it considered a disability if you have more finger than normal? you could probably do loads more with these extra fingers and toes, right?

A member asked:

Need docs answers! what genetic related disorder results in extra fingers and toes?

A member asked:

What can i do to clear up the excess under the nails of my big toes ?

A member asked:

Both little toes are red from rubbing in my sneakers. i put toe pads on them but they don't help. would extra wide sneakers eliminate the problem?

A member asked:

I have an extra hard layer of skin on my index toe and when water touches it, it turn white. i assume it's extra skin so i clip it off but it keeps re?

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