Experts agree that ingrown toenails can be painful and can lead to an infection, so you probably want to prevent them.Ingrown toenails are a common condition where the side of your toe grows into the corner.Your big toe is more likely to have ingrown toenails.Research suggests that you can prevent ingrown toenails by caring for your toenails and wearing sturdy, comfortable shoes.
Step 1: Don't shorten your toenails.
Too short toenails are one of the main causes of ingrown toenails.If you trim your toenails too short, the pressure put on the ends of your toes while walking can cause the sharp edges of the nail to get into the surrounding tissue.If you keep toenails trimmed to a moderate length, they will be even with the tips of your toes.Smaller nail trimmers are more appropriate for fingernails and should be used for thicker toenails.Some people's toenails grow faster than others, but they will have their toenails trimmed every week or so.Poor eyesight, belly fat, and thick nails can make it difficult to trim toenails.If you can't trim your toenails, make an appointment with a foot specialist.
Step 2: Straight across, trim your toenails.
A major cause of ingrown toenails is trimming them at angles along the sides to match the rounded shape of the toe, which causes the skin to grow over the nail's sharp edge.If you want to reduce your risk of developing ingrown toenails, trim them straight across or tell your pedicurist to do them that way.Picking or tearing at the corners of your toenails can lead to ingrown toenails.People with curved toenails are more likely to develop ingrown nails.People with thick toenails are less likely to have ingrown toenails due to the fact that the nails don't piece the skin as easily as thinner ones.
Step 3: Wear shoes that fit.
Shoes that put too much pressure on the ends of your toes can cause a toenail to grow into the surrounding tissue and become painful.If the shoes are for sports that involve a lot of running and stopping, such as soccer, basketball, football or tennis, take care to buy and wear properly fitted shoes.If you're unsure what size of shoes to wear, ask an experienced salesperson for a proper measurement/fitting and some advice about which types are best for the shape of your foot.The risk of toe trauma and ingrown toenails can be increased by wearing socks that are too thick.The risk of ingrown nails in the big toe can be increased if the shoes are too loose and big.
Step 4: Consider wearing protective footwear.
If your work puts you at risk of injury to your toes, wear protective footwear, such as steel-toed shoes or boots.Such shoes or boots will protect your toes from trauma, which increases the risk of ingrown and lost toenails, as most badly injured/bruised nails get discolored and simply fall off.Construction worker, mechanic, welder, fireman, and park Ranger are some of the jobs that require steel-toed shoes/boots.sweaty feet make the skin around your toenails soft and easier to pierce, so always buy shoes and boots made of breathable material.It is helpful to wear socks that help keep the feet dry.
Step 5: Don't stub your toes.
Trauma to the ends of your toes can cause swelling, which pushes the soft tissue into the edges of the sharp nails and increases the risk of ingrown toenails.If you must walk around your home, be careful and consider wearing hard toed slippers or "house shoes" for added protection.Stubbed furniture includes the legs of tables, chairs and beds.The big toe is the most likely to be injured.If you have glasses or contacts, you should wear them if you need them to see clearly.
Step 6: It is possible to see a podiatrist.
If you have trouble taking care of your feet or have diabetes, it is a good idea to see a doctor or a podiatrist every three to six months.Diabetes can lead to poor circulation and reduced sensation in the feet, which can make it difficult to feel your toes.The risk of toe trauma and ingrown toenails can be reduced by the creation of special shoes or shoe inserts.If you have diabetes, an ingrown toenail can turn into a foot ulcer.Gangrene occurs when tissue from lack of blood circulation dies.People who give pedicures are no substitute for professionally trained foot specialists.
Step 7: Put your foot in water.
Ingrown toenails should be treated at home as soon as they are recognized in order to prevent the need for medical treatment.You can soak the foot in warm water for 15-20 minutes, three to four times daily.Reducing swelling can be done with soaking.Adding some salt to your bath is a good idea.It can help soothe the pain of your ingrown toe.An ice cube should be applied to your ingrown toe for about five minutes.The ice will numb the pain.
Step 8: The antibiotic cream should be applied.
Just before you go to bed in the evening, apply antibiotic cream, lotion or ointment to your ingrown toe at least a couple of times per day.Apply a bandage after the cream has absorbed the soft tissue.You should change the bandage every time you apply the antibiotic.
Step 9: OTC medication can be taken over the counter.
Take some OTC medication for a few days if you have an ingrown toenail.If you notice a lot of swelling, you should use an anti-inflammatories.It is likely that painkillers are better for pain than for swelling.Tylenol and Paracetamol are the most common OTC pain killers.Short-term strategies for pain control should always include anti-inflammatories.If you take too many of them at a time or for too long, you are more likely to have health problems.If you have chronic kidney disease, heart failure, high blood pressure or stroke, do not take anti-inflammatories.If you have a sore toe, you can try rubbing a cream into it.Menthol, camphor, arnica and capsaicin can be used to relieve pain.
Step 10: There is a cotton ball or dental floss under the toenail.
Put a piece of cotton ball or dental floss under the ingrown toenail after soaking it in warm water.The toenail will grow above the edge of the skin if the pressure on the surrounding skin is relieved.The cotton should be wet with water and some antibiotic cream.Unless directed to do so, do not attempt this remedy.If you want to reduce the swelling on the skin, consider putting some coconut oil on it.The cotton or dental floss will make it easier to slide under the nail.The cotton or dental floss needs to be changed on a daily basis.