What can you do to prevent ingrown nails?
Ingrown toenails can be a painful and persistent problem. They occur when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. We are here to discuss effective treatment methods and practical prevention tips to help you manage and avoid ingrown toenails.
Number one is proper nail trimming. You should always aim at trimming your toenails straight across while making sure to avoid rounded corners. Rounding corners and possibly missing a small piece of nail can encourage the nail to grow into the skin. This can take days or even weeks to develop. Use clean, sharp nail clippers for the best results. I also recommend avoiding picking or tearing your toenails, as this can lead to irregular nail growth and increase the risk of ingrown toenails.
Always maintain proper foot hygiene. Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash them daily with soap and water, and dry them thoroughly. Accumulation of sweat and debris can lead to an ingrown nail developing. Do not pick at or tear your toenails, as this can lead to irregular nail shape and increase the risk of ingrown toenails.
Wearing proper fitting footwear is also beneficial for ingrown nail prevention. If your activities put you at risk of toe injury (heavy lifting or athletics), wear protective footwear to shield your toes.
Opt for comfortable shoes that provide ample room for your toes. Tight shoes can cause the nail fold to become inflamed, allowing less room for the nail plate to find its way out. My personal rule of thumb is to match the opposite sided shoe with the bottom of your foot, examine where your toes sit in relation to the toe box. This part of the shoe should be wider than your foot.
If you’re the type of person to get recurring ingrown nails, using a small piece of cotton may go a long way. To do this, carefully lift the edge of the ingrown nail using a piece of clean dental floss. Then, place a small piece of cotton under the nail plate in the affected area. This encourages the nail to grow above the skin. Make sure to change the cotton daily to maintain cleanliness. Continue doing this until the nail plate has grown out completely.
If you develop an ingrown nail it is recommended you take these steps. Start by soaking the affected foot in warm water with epsom salts for 15-20 minutes. Do this a few times a day. This helps to reduce swelling and alleviate tenderness. You may also opt for warm, soapy water if epsom salts are not on hand. Once your feet are dry, apply an antibiotic ointment to the affected area and cover it with a bandage. This helps to prevent infection. If needed, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help reduce pain and inflammation.
If the ingrown toenail is severe, recurrent, or infected, consult a healthcare professional. A doctor may need to perform a minor procedure to remove part of the nail plate to effectively treatment the ingrown nail. Minor infections may resolve with ingrown nail removal and topical antibiotic ointments, moderate to severe infections will require a short course of oral antibiotics in addition.
