If ingrown toenails keep happening to you, here’s what you can do to prevent them.
Yikes! It’s amazing just how painful an ingrown toenail can be. If you currently have an ingrown toenail or you notice you get them rather frequently you may be wondering, “Why does this keep happening to me?” While our Salem, OR, foot doctors Dr. James Lisle and Dr. Lee Poston can help you treat your ingrown toenail, the goal is always to prevent foot problems whenever possible. The good news is that ingrown toenails can be prevented with the proper care and a little TLC. Here’s how,
Avoid Tight Shoes
If your toes get bunched up whenever you wear shoes this could very well be the culprit for your ingrown toenails. This is why it’s important to ditch any shoes that may put pressure on the toes or push them together. Opt for shoes with a roomier toe box, where you can freely wiggle your toes around. Don’t buy tight shoes thinking you’ll just “break them in”, and always try on shoes in the late afternoon or early evening when your feet are at their biggest (yes, feet swell throughout the day).
Wear Open-Toed Shoes
You may want to give your feet a bit of a breather every once in a while by swapping out those stuffy work shoes for a supportive, open-toed sandal. This allows your feet (particularly the toes) plenty of room to move around so they aren’t cramped up. While we know you can’t do this all the time it’s good to give your feet a break from socks and shoes whenever possible.
Trim Your Toenail Straight Across
While you may like the look of toenails with curved edges, trimming your nails this way can lead to an ingrown toenail. That’s why you should always trim your toenails straight across rather than rounding the corners. While you will also want to keep toenails trimmed regularly to prevent the nails from growing too long, you don’t want to trim nails too short either. Make sure the nails are level with the tips of your toenails. If you notice any jagged edges after using nail clippers, smooth the edges with a nail file.
See a Podiatrist
If you are still dealing with ingrown toenails regularly or if you are unable to trim your toenails yourself then it’s time to visit our Salem, OR, foot doctor for care. We work with everyone from healthy individuals to those with diabetes and nerve damage in their feet to keep nails properly trimmed and feet healthy in a clean, friendly environment.
If you are dealing with severe ingrown toenails, toenail fungus or diabetes, it’s important that you have a foot doctor in Salem, OR, that you can turn to when problems arise. Here at Cascade Foot Center, we provide the highest-quality foot and ankle care to patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors please call (503) 588-8188.