There are ways to reduce your chances for developing an ingrown toenail.
Dealing with an ingrown toenail and wondering how it happened? Whether this is something that you’re dealing with the first (and hopefully, last) time or this is something that you deal with regularly, our Elmira, Horseheads, and Waverley, NY, podiatrists want patients to be able to practice good foot care to prevent this painful problem from occurring in the first place. If you are prone to ingrown toenails here are some ways to prevent them,
Wear Properly Fitted Shoes
Many people don’t wear shoes that fit their feet properly. So, if you find yourself dealing with ingrown toenails your shoes could be to blame. Make sure that the toe box in your shoes is wide enough. Not sure how to tell? If you can wiggle your toes freely then the toe box is wide enough; however, if your toes are bunched up then this is a surefire sign that you need to get fitted for new shoes.
Wear Appropriate Footwear
Sustaining a toe or nail injury can also lead to an ingrown toenail, which is why you should always wear the proper footwear for your activity or profession. After all, people working in factories or construction sites may be more at risk for foot injuries. This is why wearing steel-toed shoes may be the best option. Athletes are also at risk for ingrown toenails, which is why they need to wear the proper athletic shoes for their specific sport.
Know How to Trim Your Nails
There is a technique to how you trim your toenails and if you are someone who is prone to ingrown toenails you may want to see if the problem lies in how you trim your toenails. Here are some tips to follow,
- Never trim your nails by curving them at the edges, always trim the nails straight across. Curved nails are more likely to grow into the skin and lead to ingrown toenails.
- While you may have a habit of trimming your toenails too short, so you don’t have to trim them as often, this is not a good idea. After all, nails that are trimmed too short are also more at risk for becoming an ingrown toenail. It’s best to keep your toenails level with the tips of your toes.
If you are dealing with symptoms of an infected ingrown toenail it’s important that you visit a podiatrist here in Elmira, NY, that can provide you with the care you need. Thurber & Thurber provides comprehensive foot and ankle care to those living in Elmira, Horseheads and Waverly, NY. To schedule an appointment with us call (607) 734-4582, (607) 739-8318 or (607) 565-8128.