Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of the nail grows into the skin. This can cause redness, pain, inflammation and infection.
What causes ingrown nails?
Pressure or trauma is what pushes a nail into the skin. This may originate from:
- inadequate space in shoes
- a naturally curved nail shape
- sharp edges caused by incorrect nail cutting
- picking at the nails
How do I fix it?
Firstly, put down any manicure tools you have been using to poke and prod. Secondly, call your podiatrist!
At Footsense, we believe in conservatively treating a nail if you don’t get ingrown nails frequently. Our podiatrists have a great technique to gently and painlessly tease away the offending nail piece.
If ingrown toenails are a recurrent problem for you, your podiatrist may suggest a “partial nail avulsion” – minor toenail surgery. We do this by gently numbing the toe, and removing the edge of the nail. We will then treat the side of the nail with a chemical to prevent growth here in future.
How should I cut my nails?
Carefully! Here are some tips to ensure you avoid ingrown toenails:
