Properly trimming your toenails is part of regular health management. After all, if your toes become overgrown, it may be hard to walk properly. When you clip your toenails, improper clipping can lead to an issue known as an ingrown toenail. This condition is not life-threatening, but can be very inconvenient and eventually turn into an infection. For those dealing with chronic illness, such as diabetes, managing and preventing this toenail problem is essential to preserving the health and structure of the foot. The Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists team, including Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas, wants to help you manage and prevent ingrown toenails in Williamsburg and Hampton, VA.
What Are Signs of Ingrown Toenails?
Ingrown toenails are usually easy to see or feel (although people with peripheral neuropathy may not feel them). You may notice some pressure on your toe and the affected skin near the nail may feel tender to the touch. The area may start to turn a little red and the skin around it may begin to swell. It may be harder to walk in shoes that previously were not a problem because of the swelling toe. In worst cases, untreated ones can swell further and begin to throb. You know you have an infection when it begins to ooze pus or blood.
How Can I Prevent Them?
Ingrown toenails are highly preventable and treatable. The first step is to clip your toenails properly. Use the right size clipper for your toenails and cut them slowly in a straight line when they’re dry. Don't round them. You can also reduce the risk of an ingrown toenail by wearing shoes with room in the toebox and that don’t slide your foot forward. When you need extra support for intense sports activities, make sure you’re replacing your shoes as they wear out. If you love wearing high heels, make sure you wear heels you can walk in comfortably and won't crush your toes together. Shoes that are too tight around your toes can create pressure on a toenail, causing it to dig into the skin further.
How Can I Manage This Condition?
When you catch your ingrown toenail problem early, it can often heal on its own. Start by putting it in the warm baths to soothe and prevent further swelling. Using mineral or Epsom salt can help. If ingrown toenails don't heal on their own, your local podiatrist in Williamsburg and Hampton, VA, can help you. They can properly trim the nail for you and advise on trimming techniques at home. They may also provide ways to lift the nail out of the skin. If the toenail becomes infected, they can provide topical treatments to help reduce the infection. However, if it becomes too extreme, they may need to remove part or all of the infected nail.
The doctors at Hampton Roads Foot and Ankle Specialists can help you with ingrown toenails in Williamsburg and Hampton, VA. Whether you have diabetes and need extra foot care or someone dealing with a painful toenail for the first time, a local podiatrist at our clinic can help you. Call our Williamsburg location at (757) 220-3311 or our Hampton location at (757) 224-7605 to make an appointment today.