Most of us have experienced an ingrown toenail at some point in our lives. They occur when the corner of a toenail grows into the flesh on the side of the toe. They are painful, red and swollen, and can easily get infected. Ingrown toenails usually occur in your big toe. If you have diabetes or any other condition that limits the blood flow to your feet, take extra watch of those ingrown toenails as you are at greater risk of complication than others. Many ingrown toenails can be cared for at home with proper trimming and Epsom salt footbaths, but there are signs to watch out for that will tell you if your toe should be seen by foot care clinic professionals at Aldershot Foot Care Clinic & Mobile Services.
Here are the symptoms of ingrown toenails:
• Pain on one side of the nail
• Red areas around the toenail
• Swollen skin on the area around the nail
• Infection around the nail
Ingrown toenails are often caused by:
• Narrow shoes that crowd the toes
• Nails that are cut crooked or too short
• Toenail injury
• Natural curved shape of toenail
Here’s how to prevent an ingrown toenail:
• Trim your toenails straight across.
• If you have limited feeling in your feet from diabetes or another condition, have your nails trimmed by a podiatrist
• Don’t trim your nails too short
• Make sure your shoes fit properly so they won’t push on the nail
• If you work anywhere that requires protection, make sure your toes are protected too
It’s important to note that foot complications are a major risk factor for Diabetics, so if you have Diabetes, keep a close eye on your toes, toenails, and entire foot, and reach out to your doctor immediately if you notice any abnormalities.
The team at Aldershot foot clinic are specially trained to recognize when an ingrown toenail needs professional intervention. Call us today for a consultation, and we will assess your toe, put you on the road to recovery, and give you tips and tricks to reduce the likelihood of developing more ingrown toenails in the years ahead.