What Could You Share in Common with Halle Berry and Oprah?

What could you have in common with Halle Berry and Oprah? They both have 6 toes on one of her feet. This condition is referred to as polydactyly. Duplicate toes or fingers are actually not very common and are only present in about 2% of the population. They result during a period of embryonic growth where there is very quick growth of the limbs and appendages of the embryo. There are different types of toe duplication, including a complete extra toe, a toe branching off of another, or what can be best compared to a skin tag where there are no bones in the extra digit.

So, is there anything you should be worried about if you notice your child has an extra toe? The short answer is not unless it is causing them pain. In some instances, the extra toe will push up against the others, rubbing and causing callus formation that can be painful while you are walking. In this instance, a simple procedure can be performed to remove the extra toe. It is a simple procedure that would consist of removing the digit and then doing a skin flap to close up the incision. Otherwise, other than being a congenital anomaly, it is not going to cause any problems, so it can be left alone, just like Halle Berry and Oprah still have theirs.

So, if you or someone you know has an extra toe that they are concerned about, you should seek help from your podiatrist. If you live in the Lowell or North Reading, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.