Understanding How To Treat And Prevent Unsightly Ingrown Toenails
No one wants to head to the beach with a painful ingrown toenail
. Just the sight and the pain can send shivers down your spine. Thankfully, with help from your podiatrist in Charlotte, NC you can successfully treat your ingrown toenail, and even further prevent it from developing again. Ingrown toenails are a common, painful condition that occurs when skin on one or both sides of a nail grow over the edges of the nail, or when the nail itself grows into the skin. When a person develops an ingrown toenail it can often be extremely painful, and can be associated with an infection of the toe. This summer, pay extra attention to the health of your feet and toes by taking proper preventive measures - don't let an ingrown toenail ruin your summer.
What are the Causes of an Ingrown Toenail?
If you trim your toenails too short, particularly on the sides of your big toes, you may set the stage for the development of an ingrown toenail. Often, many people trim their toenails by tapering the corners so that the nail curves with the shape of your toe. However, this technique may encourage your toenail to grow into the skin of your toe. Tight hosiery or shoes with narrow toe boxes will only aggravate the infection even more.
Ingrown toenails can also be caused by a condition that is congenital, such as toenails that simply are too large. People whose toes curl, either congenitally or from diseases like arthritis, are prone to ingrown toenails as well. Trauma caused by stubbing a toe, or having a toe stepped on, can also cause a piece of the nail to be jammed into the skin. Repeated trauma, such as the pounding which runners typically subject their feet, can also cause ingrown toenails.
How can I Treat and Prevent an Ingrown Toenail?
As soon as you recognize an ingrown toenail, you should visit Dr. Basinger, your Charlotte podiatrist, for treatment. In many cases, if your ingrown toenail is not infected you can find relief with the following at-home regimen:
*Soak your feet in warm salt water
*With a clean towel, thoroughly dry your feet
*Apply a mild antiseptic solution to the area
*Place a bandage around your toe
If your toe has excessive inflammation, swelling, pain, or discharge is present your toenail is most likely infected and should be inspected immediately by your podiatrist. Your podiatrist can trim or remove the infected nail with a minor in-office procedure. A portion of your nail, or overgrown skin can also be removed in order to treat the infection. Unless the problem is congenital, the best way to prevent an ingrown toenail is to protect the feet from trauma and to wear shoes that provide enough room for the toes to breathe and move around.
In addition, if you properly trim your toenails you can further prevent ingrown toenails from occurring. When cutting your nails, use a safety nail clipper to cut the nails straight across, allowing the nail corner to be visible.
Be sure to visit Dr. Scott Basinger, your Charlotte podiatrist, for treatment of your ingrown toenail, and for further prevention methods. Enjoy your summer by eliminating painful ingrown toenails with the help of your podiatrist.
by: Gen Wright
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