Foot Health Guide
Ingrown Toenails

Impacted or ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis), occur when the edge of the nail grows directly into the surrounding tissue of the toe, causing pain and discomfort.

Ingrown toenails can be extremely painful and are more common than you would think.

What causes ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails often occur when toenails are improperly trimmed, leaving the nail plate too far from its proper edge. This tender skin becomes inflamed, and pressure on the toe from shoes becomes painful.

Other causes include:

- Injury, such as stubbing a toe or having a toe stepped on
- Ill-fitting shoes that put pressure on the inside edge of the big toe
- Running and the accompanying pounding and pressure on toes from shoes that are too short
- Bed sheets tucked too tightly around toes

What are the symptoms of ingrown toe nails?

You can first spot an ingrown toenail directly after trimming your toenails. If the toenail looks like it has been cut back too far, exposing the pink tissue around the edge, you may have an ingrown toenail. Over time, you may develop a feeling of discomfort and tenderness, and the tissue around the edge may become red and swollen. As the ingrown toenail continues to grow into the surrounding tissue, pain becomes more pronounced, making walking and even sitting difficult.

You may also suffer the following:

- The nail will not "grow out" on its own to correct the situation
- Trimming the nail back as it grows becomes difficult and painful
- Contact with shoes and socks can cause intense soreness in the spot where you have the ingrown toenail

How do I prevent ingrown toenails?
How do I get relief?

The simplest way to eliminate an ingrown toenail is to take extra care when cutting your toenails: Keep toenails just slightly longer than the tips of your toes. Pay attention to the natural line of the toenail, and trim toenails carefully, straight across, with specially designed toenail clippers. Don't gouge into the corners of your toenails when cutting.

- Use a proper toenail clippers to avoid slipups and mishaps
- Never dig down into the corners of the nail
- Wear appropriate fitting shoes with plenty of room in the toe box
- Soak affected feet to keep them clean and antiseptic
- Apply a mild antiseptic to the area
- DO NOT dig down and try to cut away as the toenail breaks through the surface.

If the problem persists, see a podiatrist to have the offending edges removed.

Information on foot pain, leg and lower body health conditions taken from FootSmart.com and provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on muscoskeletal health.


    

The Comfort Shoe Store is affiliated with FootSmart.com Experts in keeping feet moving in comfort