Ingrown toenails are a common, and typically uncomfortable, foot issue that many people find themselves experiencing at some point in their life, especially when people wear the wrong type of footwear, or don’t properly care for their feet.
In most cases, a toenail becomes ingrown due to pressure on the nail, often coming from shoes, sleeping position, the way you walk, or by cutting them. It can be beneficial for long-term correction of the issue by simply removing any of these causes.
If a podiatrist deems necessary, they may decide to remove the entire offending border of the nail which will assist in immediately alleviating the pain. Once removed, it is unlikely the absence of the nail portion will be noticeable at all since this part of the nail is growing into the skin and is not visible.
However, the best treatment to ingrown toenails, of course, is to take preventative measures before anything happens. There are several ways to avoid and prevent an ingrown toenail from happening:
- Cut your toenails straight across, instead of following the curved shape of the nail.
- Avoid buying shoes that are too tight or stiff in the toe box area, which can lead to pressure on the nail, causing toenails to become ingrown.
- Pay attention to your sleeping and resting positions and altering them can also help to ensure you are not causing any damage to your toenails.
Whatever reason you may be suffering from an ingrown toenail, if your toenail has become painful, even with proper home treatment, then be sure to seek help from your podiatrist immediately. Contact the Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois for a consultation today!
