Ingrown toenails: what causes them?
Crowded-toed footwear
- Cutting the big toe’s toenails too short
- Injuries caused by dropping something on your toe or kicking something inappropriately
- Walking or standing improperly – poor foot structure.
- A risk factor for poor foot hygiene is excessive sweating
Ingrown toenails: what do they look like?
- The nail area is red and painful
- There is swelling and tenderness near the nail
- There may be blood or pus if the nail penetrates the skin and bacteria get in. Contact a doctor if you think you have an infection.
Ingrown toenails: how can I prevent them?
- Make sure the nail is cut straight across – the corners should not be rounded
- Don’t wear shoes that are too tight or don’t fit well
- Dry and clean your feet
- Antibiotics sold in drug stores
- An ingrown nail is surgically removed through a procedure called toenail avulsion
- In this case, the nail bed will be removed permanently, which will prevent the toenail from growing back.
During the recovery time, you will need to wear soft spacious shoes or open-toed sandals with minimal inconvenience. If you are diabetic or have nerve damage in or near your foot, you should seek treatment as soon as you experience symptoms. As a first step, you can soak in warm water three to four times a day and gently push the skin away from the nail with gauze. If any of your symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
You can contact our office at 949-588-8833, or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com. Our offices are in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.