It’s hard to miss an ingrown toenail. As you might suspect, this pesky problem occurs when your nail starts growing into the surrounding tissue instead of away from your toe, leading to:
While ingrown toenails usually aren’t dangerous, they can cause problems if infection sets in or for those who have certain chronic conditions, such as an impaired immune system or diabetes.
Our podiatrists at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle in Corona and Ontario, California, can provide professional help whether you need diabetic foot care or solutions for chronic ingrown toenails.
If you keep developing this painful problem, here are three of the most common causes that could be behind it.
Do you love a short toenail? How about a pretty curve at the top that tapers down on each side? Believe it or not, your nail-trimming habits could be the source of your ingrown toenails.
Whether you trim your nails yourself or pamper your piggies with professional pedicures, it’s essential to practice proper techniques. To start, avoid cutting them too short. And rounding them at the top may look nice, but it’s best to cut them straight across.
Rounding your nails or cutting them too short increases the chances of them growing into the tissue surrounding them. And, before your trim, soak your nails in warm water and clean your tools.
Most people walk thousands of miles throughout their lifetime, but many people don’t give much thought to their shoes. Unfortunately, that can add up to several preventable foot issues — including ingrown toenails.
Constricting your toes in too-short or too-tight shoes is the perfect environment for ingrown toenails to take shape. In fact, this foot problem is incredibly common in teens and adolescents who outgrow their shoes quickly. Similarly, toes that are exposed to trauma, such as kicking and running, also have an increased risk for ingrown toenails.
Choose appropriate footwear for your feet, body, lifestyle, and hobbies to avoid this common pitfall. When shoes fit properly, they shouldn’t be too loose or tight, and it should be easy to wiggle your toes. They should also provide good support to prevent added stress on your feet, ankles, lower legs, hips, and spine.
The right shoe will also offer toe protection if you participate in activities that increase your chances for injury.
Finally, your circulation can also lead to ingrown toenails. Common circulation-related conditions that are linked to the formation of ingrown toenails include:
On top of that, these conditions can also increase your chances of developing serious complications from even a minor ingrown toenail.
Our experts recommend working with a skilled foot and ankle specialist if you have diabetes or another condition that affects your circulation. We can help outline a management strategy to keep your feet healthy moving forward.
Do you have a painful ingrown toenail or a chronic problem with the condition? Find solutions at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle by scheduling a consultation with one of our experienced podiatrists today.