If you’ve had an ingrown toenail before, you know it’s painful and uncomfortable. They’re fairly common, but there are still a lot of misconceptions out there about ingrown toenails. The more correct information you know about them, the better you’ll be prepared to prevent them and handle them. Here are some important things to know about ingrown toenails.
How to Prevent Them
This is one of the most important things to know about ingrown toenails. Some of the most basic things you can do to prevent ingrown toenails include:
- Trim your toenails straight across and not too short
- Avoid socks and shoes that are too tight
- Maintain proper foot hygiene
These are simple yet effective tasks that will lessen your chances of developing ingrown toenails.
Know the Warning Signs
Knowing the warning signs of ingrown toenails can allow you to stop it in its tracks before it gets worse. Here are some of the most common warning signs to look out for:
- Redness and swelling around the toenail
- Pain and tenderness in your toe and around the nail
- Warmth and throbbing skin around the nail
These are just a few of the early signs of an ingrown toenail, but watching out for them can help you prevent any infections.
When to Go to the Doctor
Sometimes, ingrown toenails can be treated at home with a regular foot soak, but home remedies aren’t always sufficient. Here’s how to tell if you need to go to the doctor or not:
- Your ingrown toenail is infected and has puss or discharge
- You have recurring ingrown toenails
- Your ingrown toenail is impeding on your daily activities
- The problem isn’t going away
If you’ve noticed any of these issues with your ingrown toenails or would like to learn more, give us a call to set up an appointment with us at Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic.