An ingrown toenail is a common ailment that can be painful and frustrating. The condition occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the fleshy skin of the toe, often becoming infected. While there are a few ways to treat an ingrown toenail, it is best to prevent the problem from occurring. Most people develop an ingrown toenail due to improper toenail trimming, tight shoes, or injuries to the toe. There are a few ways to treat an ingrown toenail. The most common is to soak the foot in warm water and then use a sterile needle or tweezers to remove the offending nail edge. Some people find relief by applying pressure to the side, but you can only permanently treat the problem by working with a specialist in treating an ingrown toenail in Bakersfield. Before we look at some of the best ways to prevent an ingrown toenail, we should first understand the causes.
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
Improper toenail trimming is the number one cause of ingrown toenails. When you trim your toenails, make sure you cut them straight across and not too short. You should also avoid rounding the corners of the nails. Tight shoes are another common cause of ingrown toenails. The tightness of the shoes puts pressure on the toes and forces the toenails to dig into the skin. Injuries to the toe can also cause an ingrown toenail. Anything that disrupts or damages the toenail can make it more likely to become ingrown.
Prevention
There are a few things that you can do to prevent an ingrown toenail. The most important thing is to trim your toenails correctly. Make sure that you cut them straight across and not too short. You should also avoid rounding the corners of the nails. Tight shoes are another common cause of ingrown toenails. The tightness of the shoes puts pressure on the toes and forces the toenails to dig into the skin. Injuries to the toe can also cause an ingrown toenail. Anything that disrupts or damages the toenail can make it more likely to become ingrown.
Another way to prevent an ingrown toenail is by keeping the feet clean and dry. Ensure to wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes. This way, you will reduce the likelihood of bacteria and fungus growing on the skin.
If you fall in the high-risk category, there are a few things that you can do to prevent an ingrown toenail. One must soak the feet in warm water for about 15 minutes twice a day. This will help to soften the skin and make it easier to remove the toenail. You can also apply pressure to the side of the toe with a bandage or piece of cloth. This will help to push the nail back into place.
In summary, ingrown toenails are a common ailment that can be painful and frustrating. The condition occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the fleshy skin of the toe, often becoming infected. While there are a few ways to treat an ingrown toenail, it is best to prevent the problem from occurring. Most people develop an ingrown toenail due to improper toenail trimming, tight shoes, or injuries to the toe.
