subject: Learn Proper Techniques To Avoid Ingrown Toenails This Season [print this page] Poor toenail care and the wrong shoes can often lead to an ingrown toenail, which can be extremely painful. Ingrown toenails are a common and painful problem that usually involves the big toe. The best approach is to keep your toenails from becoming ingrown in the first place, but when they do, home remedies can typically get your toes back in tiptop shape.
What are Ingrown Toenails?
Ingrown toenails are a common condition in which the corner or side of one of your toenails grows into the soft flesh of that toe. The result will be pain, redness, swelling and, sometimes, an infection. An ingrown toenail can affect any of your toenails, but the problem mostly affects the big toe.
When you first develop an ingrown toenail, it may be hard, swollen and tender. As the ingrown toenail progresses, it may become red and infected, and feel extremely sore. An ingrown toenail occurs when the skin on one or both sides of a nail grows over the edges of the nail, or when the nail itself grows into the skin. Some cases are congenital, which is when the nail is too lager for the toe. Other cases can be caused by trauma, such as stubbing your toe or having the toe stepped on. However, the most common cause is the wearing of tight shoes or improper grooming and trimming of the nail.
At-Home Care
In many cases, you can treat ingrown toenails on your own. If you experience an ingrown toenail, begin by soaking your foot in warm water for about 15 to 20 minutes for three times a day. By soaking your foot, you can potentially help relieve the swelling and soreness of your toe. After soaking for the designated amount of time, be sure to properly dry your foot.
For the rest of the day, it is important to continue to keep your foot dry. You should also wear comfortable shoes that provide your foot adequate room for the toes. Consider wearing sandals until the condition clears up, if possible. If you do not experience an improvement in 2-3 days, or if your condition worsens, contact Dr. Scott Basinger, your foot surgeon in Charlotte, NC.
Seek Podiatric Care
If you experience excessive inflammation, swelling, pain and discharge, the toenail is most likely infected and should be treated by Dr. Basinger. You may need to take oral antibiotics and the nail may need to be partially or completely removed. Dr. Basinger can surgically remove a portion of the nail, a portion of the underlying nail bed, some of the adjacent soft tissues and even a part of the growth center. Surgery has been proven effective in eliminating the nail edge from growing inward and cutting into the fleshy folds as the toenail grows forward.
Prevention is Key
By taking a few simple precautions, you can help to keep your toenails from growing where they shouldn't. First of all, be sure to wear shoes that fit comfortably. If you wear shoes that pinch your toes or that are too short, they may not give your nails the space they need to properly grow. It is also important to keep your toenails trimmed, but not too short-they should be even with the tips of your toes. When trimming your nails, make sure you trim they straight across rather than curving them to match the shape of your toe. If you curve your nail, you are more prone to developing an ingrown toenail.
Lastly, try to protect your toes from injury. By stubbing your toes or getting your toes stepped on, it can contribute to ingrown toenails. If your work or hobbies increase the risk of injury to your feet, it may be a good idea to wear steel-toed shoes. Talk to your podiatrist in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Scott Basinger, for more information on how you can further prevent ingrown toenails this season.
