Ingrown toenails are very common, especially in kids. While some ingrown toenails may be rare, other times, they are recurring issues.
While some initial treatments of ingrown toenails may consist of soaking the nail, to various antibiotic creams and ointments, to cutting part of the nail back, other forms of treatment may be necessary if the issue continues.
What Causes Ingrown Toenails?
In most cases, the toenail becomes ingrown due to pressure on the nail, often coming from shoes, sleeping position, or the way your child walks. Simply eliminating these factors can be beneficial for long term correction of the problem.
Other Treatments for Ingrown Toenails
In addition to eliminating the above factors, podiatrists may decide to remove the entire offending border of the nail, which will help to immediately alleviate pain. This will hardly be noticeable since the portion of the toenail that is removed is the portion that is growing downwards into the skin and is not visible.
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
There are several ways to prevent an ingrown toenail from happening to your child. One, be sure to cut your child’s toenails straight across, instead of following the curved shape of the nail. Also avoid buying shoes that are too tight or stiff in the toebox area. These can lead to pressure on the nail, causing toenails to become an ingrown. Paying attention to your child’s sleeping and resting positions and altering them can also help to ensure your child is not causing any damage to their toenails.
If your child is experiencing any foot and ankle pain, including ingrown toenails, contact the Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois today!
