Although ingrown toenails are more likely to occur in adults, children can develop them as well. Ingrown toenails can create extreme pain for your child. It’s important to take notice of your child’s feet in order to notice if a foot problem such as an ingrown toenail occurs.
How can you tell if your child has an ingrown toenail? Usually the nail on the big toe will be affected, with redness, swelling and the edge of the nail turned down into the skin. Their toe will be very tender and possibly painful when rubbed by their shoe.
So how should you treat the ingrown toenail? Below are a few ways to help, which include:
- Soak your child’s foot in warm, soapy water for about ten minutes a few times a day. Afterward, apply over-the-counter antibiotic ointment or cream on the problem area.
- You might try to gently file the nail away from the skin. If possible, use your nails to gently lift the ingrown toenail and insert a small amount of cotton or gauze between the nail and skin.
- Have your child wear loose-fitting shoes, or go barefoot as much as possible, until the toenail has been healed. If these steps don’t heal the toenail within a week, contact our office to have Tony Abbott treat the ingrown nail.
How can you prevent painful ingrown toenails from affecting your child? We recommend incorporating these general foot care tips to keep your child’s feet protected. They include:
- Make sure your child’s shoes fit properly. This is the best tip to prevent ingrown toenails from developing. Make sure to measure your child’s feet regularly as children’s feet are constantly growing. You want to make sure the shoes they are wearing are not too tight.
- Trim your child’s toenails regularly. Use a nail clipper and cut their toenails straight across instead of rounded, which can create an ingrown toenail more easily.
Don’t let ingrown toenails create pain in your child’s feet! Follow these guidelines and you can keep their feet protected and healthy!