Chiropodists Oksana Skilfasovska, Katerina Goltsios, and Arun Homenauth at Family Foot Care Clinic in Whitby, ON, provide effective and customized prevention and treatment for ingrown toenails.
Guide to Preventing and Treating Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail can be painful and embarrassing. They are highly common and one of the most frequently treated issues by podiatrists. Fortunately, they are also one of the most preventable and – typically – easily treated. Below, Chiropodists Oksana Skilfasovska, Katerina Goltsios, and Arun Homenauth at Family Foot Care Clinic in Whitby, ON, share what causes ingrown toenails, how to prevent them, and how to treat them.
Ingrown Toenail Causes
There are a few factors that can play a role in an ingrown toenail, one of which is genetics. How a person’s toenails are naturally shaped can cause them to grow into the skin. Other causes include wearing socks and shoes that are too tight, injuries, and even cutting the toenails improperly.
Prevention Tips
Most of the time, you can prevent an ingrown toenail through very basic tips, including those listed below.
- Choose shoes and socks wisely: Your shoes and socks should have ample space in the toe area so that there is no unnecessary pressure on the toenails. Additionally, avoid high-heeled shoes, as these can push your toes forward into the toe box.
- Trim properly and with the right tools: Always use toenail clippers – not fingernail clippers or scissors – to trim your nails. Cut straight across instead of in a curved pattern. And leave some white at the end of the nail.
- Keep your feet dry: Wet feet can lead to pliable nails, meaning that they soften and can grow into the skin.
How to Treat an Ingrown Toenail
If you develop an ingrown toenail, you can often treat it at home with just a few steps. Soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes in warm water with Epsom salt. Dry your feet, then place a small piece of cotton beneath the nail and add some antibiotic ointment. Do this two or three times a day for several days.
If home remedies are not helping, visit our office. We can recommend the best course of action, according to the severity of your ingrown toenail.
Don’t let ingrown toenails cause you to suffer another day. Visit Chiropodists Oksana Skilfasovska, Katerina Goltsios, and Arun Homenauth at Family Foot Care Clinic in Whitby, ON, by calling (905) 665-0155 to schedule an appointment today.
