How To Avoid Getting Painful Ingrown Toenails
Dec 18, 2019
Because we use our feet for almost every activity throughout the course of a normal day, it is critical that we keep our feet, ankles, and toes healthy and pain-free. Pain in the foundation of our bodies (our feet) can be debilitating and....
Because we use our feet for almost every activity throughout the course of a normal day, it is critical that we keep our feet, ankles, and toes healthy and pain-free. Pain in the foundation of our bodies (our feet) can be debilitating and have serious negative effects on our lives. This includes pain or discomfort in our toes, often resulting from such conditions as ingrown toenails.
What Is An Ingrown Toenail?
When the corner of side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe (most often the big toe), it is called an ingrown toenail. It is usually accompanied by pain, redness, swelling, and, if left untreated, infection. If continually left untreated, the ingrown toenail can infect the underlying bone and cause a serious bone infection.
How Do I Know If I Have An Ingrown Toenail?
Ingrown toenails are generally pretty easy to identify, especially if you have the accompanying pain or swelling in the toenail area. You can also assess the pain you’re feeling by considering if you have any of the common causes of ingrown toenails. These include:
- Shoes which crows your toenails, especially narrow, pointed, or tight shoes
- Cutting your nails too short or not straight across
- Having injured your toenails
- Unusually curved toenails
- Conditions which cause poor blood flow such as diabetes
If you have experienced any of these common causes and/or the redness, pain, or swelling in your toenails has not subsided, contact a podiatrist. Likewise, if the symptoms have increased or there is now pus, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
How Can I Prevent Ingrown Toenails?
Avoiding the common causes of ingrown toenails is the best way to prevent the occurrence of the condition. Trimming your toenails straight across rather than rounding the corners, keeping the nails at a moderate length (not too short or the pressure from your shoes may direct how a nail grows), wearing properly fitting, protective footwear, and checking your feet for signs of infection or ingrown toenails will all help you keep your feet pain-free and comfortable.
Contact Our Saratoga Springs, Utah, Foot Clinic For Treatment
If you have noticed that you are experiencing any of the symptoms of ingrown toenails and at-home treatment methods are not helping, contact our Saratoga Springs, Utah, foot clinics. Our expert podiatrists at Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute are certified and well-trained to handle any and all foot-related issues, including ingrown toenails. Call us today at 801-756-4200 to schedule your appointment and have your ingrown toenails examined and treated by experienced podiatrists who want to help you get back on your feet quickly and efficiently.