Ingrown toenails are no joke: they can be very painful as well as unsightly, and if they get infected you may need extra medical treatment. If you’ve had recurring problems with ingrown toenails, here are some tips to help you avoid them in the future.
- Trim your nails correctly
There’s a correct method to trimming your toenails – cutting them without thinking can be asking for trouble. Careful trimming is the single best way of preventing ingrown toenails.
- Make sure you trim in a straight line – don’t cut in a curve around the border of your toe. Don’t cut too short, as this can increase shoe pressure.
- If you have difficulty trimming your nails on your own, you can visit a podiatrist who will have someone do it for you, as well as give advice.
- Wear appropriate footwear
A huge range of foot problems are caused, or made worse, by poorly fitting shoes. Ingrown toenails are no exception, so don’t cut corners here.
- Avoid shoes which are too tight, especially if they pinch your toes. It’s much healthier for your feet to allow them room to move inside your shoes.
- Wearing the right socks is just as important as wearing the right shoes. Choose socks made from breathable fabrics, and don’t leave them on if they get wet.
- Protect your feet
Some cases of ingrown toenails are caused by injury to your feet while playing sports, or while wearing protective shoes at work. You can reduce the chances of this happening in the following ways:
- If you’re engaging in an activity where your feet may be at risk and wearing shoes with protective features such as reinforced toe caps, continue to do so. Don’t be tempted to wear normal, soft shoes.
- When you’re finished with the activity, remove your sport- or work-specific shoes and give your toes some “breathing room” to prevent the nails from becoming squashed.