How to Prevent an Ingrown Toenail
At River Podiatry, we understand that it may not be easy for some of our patients in our community to visit us to help them address their foot health issues, especially for one of the most common foot health issues such as an ingrown toenail. Below is a list of tips to help you prevent an ingrown toenail
Prevention
To help prevent an ingrown toenail:
Keep your toenails at a moderate length: trim toenails to ensure that they are even with the tips of your toes. If you trim your toenails too short, the pressure from your shoes on your toes may direct a nail to grow into the tissue.
Trim your toenails straight across: please do not curve your nails to match the shape of the front of your toe. If you have your toenails done at a salon, be sure to tell your pedicurist to trim your nails straight across. If you have a condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet and you can't trim your nails, see a podiatrist regularly to have your nails trimmed.
Wear shoes that fit properly: shoes that place too much pressure on your toes or pinch them may cause a nail to grow into surrounding tissue. If you have nerve damage to your feet, you may not be able to sense if your shoes fit too tightly. Take care to buy and wear properly fitted shoes, preferably from a shoe store specializing in fitting shoes for people with foot problems.
Wear protective footwear: if your work puts you at risk of injuring your toes, wear protective footwear, such as steel-toed shoes.
Check your feet: if you have diabetes, check your feet daily for signs of ingrown toenails or other foot problems.
Do you have any questions or concerns about Ingrown Toenails? If so, click here to set up an appointment with our team at River Podiatry.
