Living with a painful ingrown toenail? Our team at Cascade Foot Center in Salem, OR can help.
5 Steps for Preventing Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are uncomfortable – sometimes painful – and problematic for your overall foot health. Below, our team at Cascade Foot Center in Salem, OR provides some of the most effective steps for preventing an ingrown toenail in your life.
1. Trim Them the Right Way
People tend to trim their toenails very short and curved at the edges, but this can easily lead to ingrown toenails. Instead, trim them straight across, leaving a little white at the end. Avoid curving them at the ends. Also, use clippers that are sharp so that the job is done properly.
2. Wear the Right Shoes
Shoes that are too tight put pressure on the toes and toenails, which leads the toenails to curve inward. It’s imperative that your footwear give your toes plenty of wiggle room, so be sure there is adequate space in the toe box of your shoes. If you play sports or work in a setting where you tend to drop items on your feet, hard-toed shoes or other protective items are essential.
3. Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry
Dirty, sweaty, and moist feet are breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi. These do more than make your feet itch and cause infection. They can actually soften the toe bed, making it much easier to develop ingrown toenails.
Be sure that you wash and thoroughly dry your feet every day. Carry extra socks and shoes with you so that you can change if they get wet from the weather, working out, or other activities. You might also consider using antiperspirant or powder to keep your feet dry.
4. Keep An Eye On Your Feet
As you dry your feet each day, look at them for signs of infection or toenail issues. Address anything you notice as soon as possible. If at-home care doesn’t help, visit a podiatrist.
5. Visit Your Podiatrist Regularly
As the saying goes, “No man is an island.” We all need help in various areas of life, including foot care. Visiting your podiatrist regularly – which is typically once a year – will help prevent issues like ingrown toenails and other foot conditions. If issues are present, your podiatrist can develop a customized plan of care and recommend the best steps to take.
Whether you’re living with an ingrown toenail or working to prevent one in your life, call (503) 588-8188 to schedule an appointment with our team at Cascade Foot Center in Salem, OR today.