An ingrown toenail is the result of an edge or corner of the nail invading the skin around it. Ingrown toenails are common, can be painful and usually occur in one or both sides of a big toe. Here are some tell-tale signs of an ingrown toenail, as well as common causes.
The Causes of Ingrown Toenails
The primary causes of an ingrown toenail are shoes that crowd the nails, trimming nails too short or curving their edges, and injury to the nail and foot. They can happen to anyone, but some patients are more likely to get them.
People With Diabetes Should Pay Close Attention to Their Toenails
A person with diabetes, a peripheral vascular disease or anyone with insufficient blood flow to the feet is more susceptible to ingrown toenails. When ignored, the infected nail can lead to infection and threaten the long-term health of the toe’s bones, as well as those of the foot.
Common Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails
In addition to pain in the toe, if the appearance of redness, swelling and possibly blood or pus where the nail has broken into the skin develops, then reach out to a foot care specialist right away.
After the nail has pierced and burrowed itself into surrounding flesh, the toe may get infected.
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
There are a few steps that can be taken at home to prevent these symptoms from occurring. The toenail should be trimmed straight across its top at a level compatible with the tips of shoes that will be worn. These shoes should be properly fitted, preferably from stores that specialize in shoes for people with foot problems. In the meantime, people with diabetes should examine their feet daily for troubled toenails.
Reach out to Azilda Family Foot Care for Help
Azilda Family Foot Care is the only foot specialist in Azilda, ON, where we provide nail and laser therapy, surgery and photodynamic light therapy. We also offer a wide range of shoes and sandals, as well as products for foot care and pain relief.
Sterile surgery under local anesthetic is used to treat or remove a full or partial ingrown nail. Call us at 705-983-5035 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.