3 Tips to Prevent Ingrown Toenails
Having excessively curved toenails is largely hereditary, but the likelihood they develop into a painful ingrown toenail can be mitigated with three simple steps.
Try these 3 excellent tips for preventing ingrown toenails:
1) Perform regular foot inspections—You can notice preliminary signs of a potential ingrown toenail problem during a foot inspection. Initial redness and oozing at the edge of a toenail should be monitored and brought to the attention of your foot doctor if it worsens. Check your feet for problems at least once a week, and every day if you have diabetic complications.
2) Use proper toenail cutting technique—A major cause of ingrown toenails is from poor nail cutting. Try to cut your toenails straight across or on just a slight curve and don’t cut them too short. This will help prevent the sharp edge of your toenail from growing into your tender skin.
3) Wear the correct shoes—Wear properly fitted shoes that provide ample room in the toe box area. This will help avoid the side pressure that can contribute to ingrown toenail development. Avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes like high heels that scrunch your toes together.
If you are experiencing painful ingrown toenails, see your podiatrist for the proper treatment. The foot experts at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists, in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County Arizona, have unparalleled experience in treating all aspects of foot and ankle care. Our team of doctors, including Christopher M. Funk, D.P.M., FACFAS, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, and Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, is dedicated to serving you with state-of-the-art, cutting edge medical technologies including the PinPointe FootLaser, custom-fitted orthotics, and Radial Pulse Therapy (RPT) for chronic foot, heel, or ankle pain. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment please call (520) 575-0800.
