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How To Manage Your Ingrown Toenails At Home

Ingrown toenails are a common but unpleasant grievance. Most people will get one at some point in their lives, but knowing how to manage the pain and prevent recurring infections is important for sustaining your foot health. We always recommend visiting a podiatrist or chiropodist for ingrown toenail treatment, but there are a few things you can do at home to ease the process along and stave off bothersome infections.

Treating Your Ingrown Toenails At Home

While we’d suggest speaking to a clinician as soon as possible, here is some advice to alleviate tenderness from home. Firstly, for painful ingrowth, over-the-counter pain relief may be sufficient for assuaging pain and inflammation while waiting to see a podiatrist. You should also apply antiseptic creams and ointments to the area to prevent unsightly infections that’ll worsen your symptoms. Soaking your feet in lukewarm water several times a day will also help — it’ll soften the nail and reduce the pressure against your skin, which is another form of temporary pain-relief (and disinfectant). Finally, avoid wearing shoes if possible, or shoes that cover your toes. This will only aggravate your symptoms and cause you more long-term discomfort.

How Can I Prevent Ingrown Toenails?

If you find yourself suffering from frequent ingrowth incidents, there are minor adjustments you can make to lower your risk. For example, your shoes are a big culprit. If your shoes are ill-fitting or don’t synergise with your foot shape, the edge of your shoe will press against your nail and force it to curve inwards. There is specialist footwear available for common ingrowth, but you should always speak to your podiatrist if you suspect your footwear is insufficient.

In terms of nail maintenance, cut your toenails frequently and avoid following the shape of your nail. Instead, cut straight across to discourage ingrowth. Avoid cutting your nails too short or leaving them long as both are more likely to curve inwards with applied pressure from your shoes. Some medical conditions that affect blood flow also put you at greater risk of complications from ingrown toenails, so speak to your doctor if you have any concerns. Finally, avoid damaging or dropping anything on your foot and nails, if you can help it. Easier said than done!

podiatry treatment on feet

Frequently Asked Questions

Your nail may be infected if it’s producing puss or abnormally hot. This can be in conjunction with other symptoms, such as tenderness, redness and a swollen toe. If left untreated, the infection can spread and cause fever, shivering and other serious complications.

It can be hereditary. Chances are, if a close family member is plagued by frequent ingrowth, you might suffer the same. This is due to genetic nail conditions that present a higher risk of ingrowth, such as curved nails and abnormal growth patterns.

They can do, if you don’t make an effort to prevent them. Always follow your chiropodist or podiatrist’s advice.

Book Now To Arrange Ingrown Toenail Treatment With The Feetness Centre

For serious or infected toenails, contact us on 02920 482 383. Although there are methods to manage your pain at home, book an appointment as soon as possible. Infected nails carry a risk of surgery and serious medical complications. Give us a call to speak to our friendly and professional team if you have any questions or queries. We’re always on hand to help.

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