We live in the desert, so sandals are a pretty normal shoe choice for many of us. Ingrown toenails can put a damper on your footwear fun, since they cause pain and look unsightly. If you want your feet to feel and look good for Movie Night in the Stadium, here are some tips on preventing ingrown toenails.
What Causes Ingrown Toenails
This common foot condition occurs when the nail grows into the skin surrounding the toe. You will end up with pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes even an infection.
Some of the things that can cause a toenail to grow this way are:
- Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly (crowded toes),
- Genetics
- Cutting your toenails the wrong way.
- People with diabetes are at a greater risk of suffering from ingrown toenails because the circulation to their feet is so poor.
Avoid Pain From Ingrown Toenails
To avoid the pain caused by ingrown toenails, you should start by wearing shoes that fit you correctly and allow your toes plenty of space. Also, make sure you are cutting your toenails correctly. Cut straight across while guiding the clippers as you go, and never cut your cuticles. Trim your nails when they are dry and leave them a little longer. Lastly, use clean clippers that are the right size for your nails.
Avoiding ingrown toenails is always the best, but if you have one, there is help available at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ. Call Dr. Viedra Elison today at (623) 584-5556, or schedule an appointment online.
