A Guide To Preventing Ingrown Toenails

A Guide to Preventing Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails can be extremely painful, making it difficult to put on shoes and walk around. An ingrown toenail can impact your quality of life. Your podiatrist can help you get rid of an ingrown toenail, so you can get back to being active. The podiatrists at Idaho Foot & Ankle Associates offer a wide range of podiatry services, including treatment of ingrown toenails. They have three convenient office locations in Boise, Nampa, and Meridian, ID.

What You Need To Know About Ingrown Toenails

First, let’s look at the causes of ingrown toenails. They can be caused by:

• Damage to your toenails
• Cutting your toenails too short
• Having toenails which naturally curve under
• Wearing shoes without enough room for your toes

Considering the causes of ingrown toenails, prevention is easy. Just remember to:

• Always wear shoes that protect your feet
• Wear shoes which are appropriate for the activity you are doing
• Avoid cutting your toenails too short
• Cut your toenails straight across with no rounded corners
• Wear shoes with plenty of room for your toes

An ingrown toenail can sometimes be cared for at home. You can try:

• Wearing sandals to allow your toe to heal
• Placing a small piece of dental floss underneath your toenail to guide it above your skin
• Applying antibiotic cream and bandaging the ingrown toenail
• Soaking your toe in warm water for 15 minutes 3 times daily
• Cushioning your toe with cotton or bandages

Some ingrown toenails are severe. If your ingrown toenail is causing moderate to severe pain and is affecting your ability to stay mobile, you need to visit a podiatrist. Your podiatrist may recommend:

• Lifting and separating the toenail from the skin around it
• Trimming off the ingrown part of your nail
• Removing the toenail completely, so a new, healthy toenail can grow freely
• Laser therapy to treat the ingrown toenail

Want To Know More?

To find out more about prevention and treatment of ingrown toenails, call the podiatrists at Idaho Foot & Ankle Associates. You can reach them in:

• Boise, ID, by calling (208) 327-0627
• Nampa, ID, by calling (208) 463-1660
• Meridian, ID, by calling (208) 888-9876

Call today.