You can prevent ingrown toenails by making sure to keep your feet clean and even more importantly, dry – don't jam them into shoes and socks after a shower without making sure that you've dried them thoroughly first. Ingrown toenails are a common problem, but while they’re just a nuisance for many people, they’re a big problem for diabetics.
With bacterial invasion, the nail margin becomes red and swollen often demonstrating drainage or pus. In fact, we can usually have your painful toe feeling ten times better before you even leave the office. Nail fungus can start off in a tiny little area of the nail and can expand to the entire nail if not detected early.
While some people are prone to ingrown toenails and others are caused by improper nail trimming techniques, ingrown toenails can also be caused by trauma from repeated impact or stubbing the toe. Podiatrists are able to help you with the current ingrown toe nail, using techniques known as nail avulsion where the irritating nail is trimmed away and treated while the flesh is given time to recover. Certain sections of the population are more vulnerable to ingrown toenails, including people with extremely curved nails (when viewed from the tip of the toe), and people with other conditions such as diabetes and poor circulation in the extremities.
(5) Blisters and Calluses. Personally, I enjoy the variety of people and pathology that finds its way into my exam rooms. When you get home, take your shoes off – give your feet time to air out and breathe. Treat yourself to regular pedicures to keep the nails in good shape. Cut your nails straight across and round the edge with a nail file, and also check to make sure you have enough wiggle room in your shoes. Ask your pedicurist for a runner's pedicure – this is a style of pedicure that involves trimming the nails slightly shorter than normal, and in a shape that discourages ingrowth. If you are having recurring issues with ingrown toenails it can make sense to see a podiatrist for some additional support and advice. Seeing a podiatrist can help to find the root cause of your recurring ingrown toenails and stop the problem from coming back.
Check for cracks in the skin between your toes and heels after showering. Ingrown toenails can develop without any warning due to cutting your nails incorrectly or from tight shoes. Cracks in your heel are known as fissures and, if not properly cared for, can cause pain standing and walking in shoes or sandals. Using moisturizing cream with urea will help eliminate those types of foot problems.
