Having your toenail grow into the tender skin on the edge of your toe is an extremely painful occurrence that can also lead to a bacterial or fungal toenail infection. An ingrown toenail can be especially troublesome for patients who have diabetes since a bacterial infection can quickly spread and may lead to amputation.
The symptoms of an ingrown toenail will include swelling, pain, tenderness, and redness where the nail and skin meet. You will often have extreme pain when you wear shoes that push on the affected toenail.
While having excessively curved nails can be an inherited tendency, you can still avoid ingrown toenails by following some basic procedures.
3 tips to prevent ingrown toenails include:
Cut your toenails carefully—Always cut your toenails straight across and keep them a bit on the long side so the edge of the nail can grow over your skin instead of into it. If you have trouble cutting your toenails, have it done at your podiatrist’s office to avoid cuts and complications.
Wear properly fitted shoes—Tight-fitting shoes such as high heels are very hard on your feet and are particularly bad for your toes. They force extra weight on your toes which increases pressure on the edges of the toenails and causes them to grow into the tender skin. Wear shoes with a wide toe box so your toes can move freely.
Protect your feet—One of the main causes of ingrown toenails is from injuring your toe by stubbing or dropping something heavy on it. Always wear protective footwear and steel-toed inserts if you work in a dangerous environment.
If you are having problems with painful ingrown toenails, consult with our board-certified podiatrists at Foot and Ankle Center of Fort Lee, LLC. The center offers convenient locations in Fort Lee NJ, Ringwood NJ, Flushing Queens NY, Woodhaven NY, Brooklyn NY, and Forest Hills NY. Contact us at (201) 363-9844and schedule an appointment today!
