Almost everyone has experienced an ingrown fingernail or toenail. This occurs when the sides of the nail start to dig into the soft skin surrounding the nail, which can cause painful swelling, redness and irritation.
In some cases, ingrown nails “sort themselves out” or can be easily remedied with proper nail care. But ingrown toenails can be tougher to treat on your own, particularly for people with diabetes or other foot conditions. This is why prevention is so important. Take a look at these top ways to prevent ingrown toenails from developing and saving yourself from a trip to the podiatrist.
Trim Your Toenails Properly
First off, avoid trimming your toenails very short. Some people do this thinking that it will help to reduce the risk of fungus or other infection under the nail. In fact, it increases the risk of an ingrown toenail and a significantly worse infection if left untreated.
How you trim your toenails also matters. Use scissors or clippers designed specifically for the toenails. If you use fingernail clippers, you are more likely to trim your toenails unevenly or overly round the toenails, leaving corners and edges that are more likely to dig into the surrounding skin.
Watch Your Socks and Shoes
Wearing tight socks and/or shoes that are too small for your feet puts additional pressure on the tips of the toes, which can encourage the nail to grow into the surrounding skin. Foot moisture is also a factor. In addition to increasing your risk of developing toenail fungus, excessive moisture softens the skin around the toes and makes it easier for corners of the nails to dig in.
Protect Your Toes from Injury
In many cases, an ingrown toenail starts after something has been dropped on the foot or a person has badly stubbed their toe. When working with heavy items, always wear closed toe footwear, preferably with a reinforced toe.
While some people who have an ingrown toenail can self-treat by cleaning the toe and letting it resolve itself, more extensive self-treatment such as trying to “dig out” the toenail must be avoided, especially for people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or other disorders of the circulatory system. If you have ongoing pain or see any signs of an infection developing, we strongly encourage you to contact us for proper treatment.