Preventing Ingrown Toenails

Have you had ingrown toenails before? Are you wondering how you can lower the risk so you don’t have to endure the pain?

You can prevent ingrown toenails in most cases. Here are some important tips on how:

1. Trim your nails properly. Cut your toenails in a fairly straight line and don’t cut them too short. You should be able to get your fingernail under the sides and end of the nail. Avoid clipping to match the natural curvature of your toe
2. Avoid poorly-fitting footwear. Don’t wear shoes that are too short or too tightly in the toe box. Also avoid shoes that are too loose.
3. Pedicures from Inexperienced Technicians. There is nothing wrong with getting a pedicure. However, just make sure you get one from an experienced technician who knows how not to give you ingrown toenails.
4. Repeated Toe Trauma. Sometimes this is preventable, and other times it’s not. Stubbing or jamming your toe, or dropping something on it, may not always be preventable. Just make sure that whatever tasks you do, that you’re as careful as you can be so you don’t hurt yourself. Ingrown toenails can also happen from running, soccer, or ballet. Make sure you take proper care of your feet and give them a quick examination each day so you don’t develop ingrown toenails and find yourself sitting out.
5. Genetics Play a Role. Do ingrown toenails run in your family? This doesn’t guarantee you’ll get them, but it does increase your chances. If you do, take extra caution and time to examine your toenails to make sure they don’t become ingrown. Poor hygiene can also put you at risk for ingrowing toenails.

Myths vs Truth about Home Treatment/Remedies

• Cutting a “V” doesn’t affect the regrowth of the toenail. New nail growth will continue to curve downward.
• Repeated nail trimming fails to correct future nail growth and can make the condition worse.
• Cotton placed under the nail can be harmful. It can easily harbor bacteria and fungus and encourage infection. Another cause it secondary infection with toenail fungus (onychomycosis) due to compromising the integrity of the nail plate itself.
• Over the counter topical medication may mask the pain, but they fail to address the underlying condition.

If You Have an Ingrown Toenail, Act Fast

The longer you let ingrown toenails persist, the more problems they cause, until finally you can’t stand it anymore. So if you notice you or a family member with one, get it addressed as fast as possible to minimize your pain and downtime.