Ingrown toenails are a common foot issue that occurs when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin. It can cause pain, discomfort, redness, swelling, and infection. It makes your daily activities uncomfortable. You can take common preventive measures to avoid ingrown nails.
This guide provides you with a comprehensive approach to prevent ingrown toenails.
Trim Your Toenails Straight Across
You should trim your toenails correctly to prevent ingrown toenails. Always trim your toenails straight across and avoid rounding or curving the edges to match the shape of your toe. Curved or uneven cuts can encourage the nail to grow into the surrounding skin, which can lead to painful ingrown toenails. When trimming, take your time to ensure even cuts and avoid trimming them too short. If you get pedicures, then ask the technician to follow this straight-across trimming method. If you have difficulty seeing or feeling your feet, a podiatrist can help you maintain healthy toenails during clinical appointments. You can significantly reduce the risk of an ingrown toenail by correcting your trimming technique and maintaining regular nail care.
Keep Toenails at A Moderate Length
It is important to keep your toenails at a moderate length to prevent ingrown toenails. You should trim them to keep them level with the tips of your toes, leaving a small bit of white nail visible. You should avoid cutting them too deep or too short, as this can cause the pressure from your shoes to push the nail into the surrounding skin, leading to ingrown toenails. You should always cut straight across when trimming and avoid rounding the corners of the nail, as this can also encourage the inward growth of the nail. Regular cutting by maintaining a moderate length helps maintain healthy toenails and reduces the risk of painful ingrowns.
Wear Shoes That Fit Properly
You should wear shoes that fit well on your feet to prevent ingrown toenails. Ill-fitting shoes, such as those that are too tight, too narrow, or too short, can cause pressure on your toes, pushing the nail into the surrounding skin. Over time, this can lead to painful ingrown toenails. If you have nerve damage in your feet, you might not even feel the discomfort caused by tight shoes, which increases your risk of complications.
There should be about a thumb’s width of space at the end of your shoe. You should avoid shoes that press against the sides of your toes or pinch them. Shoes with a wide toe box allow your toes to move freely, which can prevent unwanted pressure on the nails.
Get Professional Treatment for Ingrown Toenails
It is important to check your feet regularly. If you have diabetes, pus or drainage coming from the toenail, your ingrown toenail becomes extremely painful, swollen, or red, or you have other health conditions that affect your circulation or nerve sensitivity, then you should visit a podiatrist for proper ingrown toenails treatment. Professional podiatrists provide treatments such as the removal of the spicule and nail surgery or a partial nail avulsion in persistent and severe cases conducted under local anesthetic in the podiatry rooms. We also offer advice to prevent recurrence of the problem.
