Ingrown toenails can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. If your toenail is left untreated, you may find it difficult to walk. It may also increase your chances of developing an infection. But how should an ingrown toenail be handled? What happens if you take the wrong advice and make it worse?
In this article, we’ll go over the do’s and don’ts of living with ingrown toenails. This can help you identify whether you need treatment, how to manage pain, and limit the chances of infection.
For personalized advice, contact our team and book an appointment at Step Right Foot Clinic today.
What is an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of your toenail grow into the surrounding skin. This presses the nail into the flesh, causing pain, inflammation and swelling. Likewise, if left without treatment, ingrown toenails can become infected.
If you’ve noticed any pus or discharge coming from your toenail, you have likely developed an infection. Other signs of infection include throbbing, red skin around the toe and bleeding. If any of these symptoms have occurred, you will likely need to seek professional care and treatment.
What causes ingrown toenails?
There are a variety of factors that can cause an ingrown toenail. How you cut your toenails is one such factor. Cutting them too short, too rounded or in a jagged manner can cause your toenails to grow out the wrong way.
Similarly, wearing shoes or clothes that put pressure on your toes can also cause them to grow out of alignment. Make sure your shoes are about 0.5-1cm longer than your longest toe.
It is also common for ingrown toenails to be caused by injury. Whether you’ve accidentally kicked a wall or dropped something heavy on your toe, the impact can damage your nail and cause it to grow out of alignment and into your skin.
The do’s and don’ts
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, there are certain treatments that you should and should not use. Here, we’ll outline the dos and don’ts of ingrown toenail care so you can look after your feet the right way.
Do
Wear wide-fitting, comfortable shoes when possible, and avoid footwear that pinches or cramps your toes. Relieving this pressure can help to prevent ingrown toenails as well as reduce some of the pain you may experience if you have one.
Don’t
If your toenail has been digging into your skin for a while, you may be tempted to simply dig it out yourself. You should avoid this, as cutting into your skin could cause significant damage as well as lead to painful infections.
Do
When cutting your toenails, make sure to use clean tools and to cut straight across. This can reduce your chances of developing an ingrown toenail, as well as help you manage one better.
Don’t
Avoid cutting your nails too short or attempting to shape them. Likewise, if you have any loose nail pieces, avoid pulling them or tearing them out. By cutting away the nail, the surrounding skin will naturally bounce up, covering the corners you have cut.
This means that when your nail begins to grow back, your skin will be in the way. Your nail will likely grow into this skin, causing an ingrown toenail to develop.
Do
If you have an ingrown toenail, soak it in warm water mixed with Epsom salt for 5 to 10 minutes. This can help keep the area clean, reducing the chances of infection while helping to relieve discomfort.
Soaking also softens the skin around your nails. Once soaked well, you can attempt to gently rub the nail out of the skin to realign it. You can attempt this process multiple times a day if needed.
Don’t
Don’t avoid the care you need. If your ingrown toenail is being particularly stubborn, or you’ve seen signs of infection, reach out to a professional. A podiatrist can assess your concern and treat it accordingly.
They may use tape or a splint to help the nail grow back in the correct position. For more severe cases, they may remove part of or all of the nail. Your toenail will then take time to grow back.
Get the care you need today
At Step Right Foot Clinic, our experienced team is here to support you. Whether you have an ingrown toenail, foot infection or any other foot concern, our chiropodists in Toronto can assess your needs and tailor the right treatments.
Avoiding a visit can worsen your concerns, making them more serious down the line. Reach out to us today and book an appointment. With the right care, you’ll be good as new in no time.
