What are Ingrown Toenails and How to Prevent Them?

Ingrown toenails are one of the most common causes of foot pain. Almost everyone will experience ingrown toenail pain at some stage in their life.

An ingrown tail nail is when the side of a nail grows into the surrounding skin. This can cause pain, swelling, red skin and in some cases infection. Of all the toes, the big toe is the most susceptible to ingrown toenails.
In most cases, an individual can take care of an ingrown toenail on their own However, in the cause of severe pain and infection, a health professional will need to get involved. What’s more, if you suffer from a condition like diabetes or any other condition that restricts blood flow, an ingrown toenail can quickly become very serious.

Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail

Some of the more common ingrown toenail symptoms include

- Pain around the nail
- Red skin around the nail
- Toe swelling around the nail
- Nail infection

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

There are numerous causes of ingrown toenails some of the more common reasons include:

- Tight-Fitting Footwear
- Damage to the Nail
- Incorrect Nail Cutting Technique
- Thickening of the Nail

By following some basic steps ingrown toenail pain can be addressed.

Ingrown Toenail Prevention

Proper nail cutting techniques can go a long way in preventing ingrown toenails. Nails should always be cut in a straight line, instead of cutting along the curve of the toe. You should also cut your toenails regularly ensuring they’re kept short and tidy at all times.
Tight-fitting toes should also be avoided. Shoes that don’t fit properly pinch your toes, and can make the nail grow into the skin.
If you work in an industry where your foot is at risk of being damaged you should wear protecting footwear at all times. For example, if you work on a construction site, you should always wear steel toe capped boots.
Finally, if you are a diabetes patient you should check your feet regularly to catch the beginnings of ingrown toenails before they damage your skin.
For more information on issues with ingrown toenails, contact our Mayo Chiropody clinic today.