ingrown toenail

3 Tips for Avoiding Painful Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail is a common and often very painful experience that can make it hard to walk or even to wear shoes. Swelling, redness, and oozing at the edge of your toenail may indicate an infection, so be sure to see your foot doctor for treatment. While some people may have a genetic predisposition for having excessively curved toenails, many instances of ingrown toenails can be avoided with some proactive advice.

3 tips for avoiding painful ingrown toenails include the following:

  1. Cut your toenails properly—One of the primary causes of ingrown toenails is improper cutting. Always try to cut your toenails a little long and straight across (or on just a slight curve). This will help prevent the sharp edge of your toenail from pushing into the tender skin on the edge of your toe.
  2. Choose the right footwear—Always have your feet accurately measured each time you buy new footwear. Tight-fitting shoes that push your toes together (such as high heels) should be avoided. Choosing shoes with a wide toe box will give your toes room to move and decrease the side pressure that can cause ingrown toenails to develop.
  3. Perform regular foot inspections—Check your feet at least once a week to help catch foot and ankle problems when they are more easily treated. If you have diabetes, it’s best to perform daily foot inspections since an undetected problem like an ingrown toenail can lead to a fungal or bacterial infection and foot ulcer that can rapidly spread, possibly requiring amputation.

If you are suffering from a painful ingrown toenail, see your podiatrist for the proper care. The foot specialists 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 problems. 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.

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