How To Treat and Prevent Ingrown Toenails

How to treat and prevent ingrown toenails

First and foremost, you’ll want to identify any potential causes of ingrown toenails. You may have inherited a tendency to get them or have a specific type of foot that puts you at higher risk for this uncomfortable and painful condition. If you notice that your big toes are turning red, painful and swollen frequently, there are many different ways you can treat and prevent ingrown toenails before they get worse.

- Preventing ingrown toenails with good foot hygiene: Infection and bacteria are a major cause of ingrown toenails. By keeping your feet clean and dry, you can prevent the onset of ingrown toenails. If you notice any redness or swelling, it’s best to see a foot doctor right away. This can help to prevent a serious infection.

- Trimming your toenails properly: Trimming your toenails too short is a common cause of ingrown toenails. If your toe hits a corner or another area of the skin on your foot, it can cause the nail to become ingrown. Make sure you’re taking your time when trimming your toenails.

- Wearing roomy footwear - If you tend to get ingrown toenails, you may want to look for wider or roomier footwear. You can also try wearing a pair of thin, rubber-soled socks when you wear your shoes.

- Using acrylic nails: If you have acrylic nails, they may be making your ingrown toenails worse. Acrylic nails make it harder for your toes to grip the ground, which can cause them to be pushed back into the skin of your foot.

Shoe inserts

Shoe inserts are a great way to treat and prevent ingrown toenails. You can simply search for “ingrown toenail” on Amazon and you’ll see hundreds of different options. You can also ask your podiatrist what type of shoe inserts they recommend for treating ingrown toenails. If you tend to get ingrown toenails, it’s a good idea to start wearing shoe inserts as soon as you notice your toes are turning red and swollen. Shoe inserts are small pieces of material that go inside your shoes to help reduce swelling and pressure on your toes. They’re small enough that you won’t even notice they’re there.

Try a pedicure

While a pedicure may not sound very therapeutic, it’s a great way to treat and prevent ingrown toenails. A pedicurist can use a pumice stone to carefully remove any dead skin and calluses from your feet. They can also use clippers to trim your toenails and cut your nails back to a healthy length. If you tend to get ingrown toenails, it’s best to get a pedicure done by a professional every few months. If you don’t have access to a professional pedicure, you can perform your own DIY pedicure at home. Simply soak your feet in warm water, then scrub your feet with a pumice stone or foot file to remove any dead skin or calluses. Then, clip your toenails and cut your nails back to a healthy length with a pair of clippers.

Examine your footwear options

Certain types of footwear can put you at a higher risk of getting ingrown toenails. Make sure you’re only wearing shoes that are roomy enough to allow your toes to move freely. Avoid wearing narrow-toed shoes and high-heeled footwear. If you’re worried about getting ingrown toenails, you may want to wear a pair of thin, rubber-soled socks when you go out. These can help to reduce pressure on your toes and prevent them from curling into your footwear. Be sure to select the right size to ensure they aren’t too tight or loose.

Toe stretchers (and other home remedies)

If you tend to get ingrown toenails, consider purchasing a toe stretcher. This can help to gently pull your toenails back so they’re not growing into your skin. You can simply place the toe stretcher inside your footwear or wear it during the day. You can also use a poultice or foot wrap to treat and prevent ingrown toenails. All you have to do is combine ingredients like cornmeal, flour and Epsom salt, then place them inside a cloth bag. You then place the bag on your foot to reduce swelling. You can also mix baking soda and water to make a paste, then spread it on your foot to help remove dead skin.

Conclusion

If you tend to get ingrown toenails, it’s important that you take action now. Left untreated, ingrown toenails can lead to infection and even require surgery in extreme cases. Thankfully, there are many different ways you can treat and prevent ingrown toenails before they get worse. Keep your toenails clean and cut, wear roomy footwear and use shoe inserts to reduce pressure. You can also use a toe stretcher to gently pull your toenails back. By taking these steps, you can protect your toes from becoming ingrown and painful.