Are you doing these 6 steps to avoid getting an ingrown toenail?

Author: Dr. Sophia Stocks, DPM, AACFAS (Board Certified Podiatrist)

Ingrown toenails are a common phenomenon. Often ingrown nails are seen in athletes, young children, mature adults, and even in the retired population. Ingrown nails can be painful, cause redness to the skin surrounding the toenails and be tender to the slightest of touch or when putting on socks. Ingrown nails can lead to infection and pain requiring a surgical procedure and antibiotics. If left untreated and unaddressed for too long, ingrown nails can lead to a deeper bone infection that may require extensive surgery, IV antibiotics, or even amputation. Are you doing these 6 steps in order to avoid getting an ingrown toenail?

Step 1

It is important to cut your toe nails straight across. As much as it is tempting to cut at an angle and to pick out the corner wedges of nail that seem to cut into your skin, by angulating the cut, this can worsen an ingrown toenail’s development and cause further wedging of the nail into the skin borders. 

Step 2

Avoid wearing tight shoes. Shoes that compress the toes can lead to a mechanical pressure against the nail borders that elevate the nail and cause curving of the nail edges.

Step 3

After showering, the skin around the toenails is supple and softened by the hydration and water from your shower. Push down the skin edges at the end of your toenail to allow for the nail to grow forward, up, and over the skin instead of embedding itself into the toe.

Step 4

Avoid cutting your nail too short. If you can’t see the nail peeking over your skin edge at the end, then it is TOO short. 

Step 5

Sometimes, it’s just genetics. Certain lucky patients have bones in their toes (phalanges) that tend to drift or elevate upwards, leading to a lifting of the nail and curvature in the nail shape that is prone to becoming ingrown. Keep a close eye on your nails, if they become painful to the touch, red, or swollen, it is time to let a podiatrist look at your toes.

Step 6

Keeping your feet and nails clean is key. Keeping your nails trimmed and maintained will keep the doctor away. By not allowing for bacterial and fungal buildup to surround your nails, this will give you that extra edge of protection in the case that you stub your toe or induce an ingrown toenail from trauma. Keep a close eye on your toes and where they are at. A painful nail will remind you that it’s there every step of the way. 

At the end of the day, your toenails deserve your love and attention just as much as your face, your teeth, your muscles, and every other part of your body. If you treat your toenails well, they will treat you well and give you many more miles for the journey.

If you have any questions or concerns that you may be developing an ingrown toenail, seeing your local podiatrist may be a good start.