During the winter months we tend to wear enclosed shoes to keep our feet warm. If our shoes are tight fitting or have a narrow toe box, they can rub on the nails and can cause them to thicken and become ingrown.
Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of the nail, particularly the corners, grow into the skin on the side of the nail. This most commonly occurs on your big toe.
The main risk factors for ingrown toenails are:
- cutting the nails incorrectly (cutting the nail straight across is the best way to go!);
- genetic predispositions, such as curved toenails which can run in the family;
- footwear (tight footwear can place a lot of pressure on the nails);
- trauma such as kicking the nail or stubbing your toe;
- certain sports and activities (such as ballet and football) that cause repetitive impact on your toe.
Ingrown toenails are painful and usually get worse over time. They can present as a red, hot, swollen area that can be extremely sensitive to touch. At times, pus and blood can be present which is a sign that there may be an infection. The issue with ingrown toenails is that bacteria love our feet and often our feet can get sweaty or dirty which is an ideal condition for bacteria to grow. As a result, infections are very common with ingrown toenails.
One of the best things you can do at home is soak your feet in warm salty water for 10-15 minutes. This softens the skin and the nail and can provide some relief.
Generally ingrown toenail treatment requires intervention from a Podiatrist. A Podiatrist is trained in removing ingrown nails and has the tools to effectively cut the nail edge to reduce any pain that is present.
In some cases the Podiatrist will be required to perform toenail surgery. This is a permanent fix to chronic or recurring ingrown nails and provides permanent relief. The procedure involves removing the edge of the nail that is causing the pain. Your podiatrist will numb your toe so that the procedure is pain free and then the nail will be narrowed. A partial nail surgery like this is 98% effective in preventing recurrence.
If you have an ingrown toenail, come in and see a Podiatrist. And in the meantime, keep your feet squeaky clean to avoid infection.
