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Ingrown toenails can be painful! If left untreated, they can lead to considerable pain and discomfort which could force you to change the way you walk or move around to protect your sore toe.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edges, sides or corners of the nail dig into the skin surrounding it causing pain, inflammation and sometimes infection. An ingrown toenail doesn’t always puncture or break the skin, but when it does, there may be bleeding, oozing and an infection could result.

What are the risk factors and causes of ingrown toenails?

  • Toenail shape and size varies from person to person. They can be flat or straight, or they can be curved.  When toenails are overly curved, the curvature can be so exaggerated that the sides of the nail come together, pinching the nail bed tissue.  This is also known as a pincer nail.
  • Footwear that is too tight, narrow, or shallow may place excess pressure on the toes causing an ingrown toenail.
  • Sweaty feet can weaken the skin making it more susceptible to puncture when a sharp nail digs into the side of the nail.
  • Toes that are bent or curly may lead to excess pressure on the toenails. Hammer toes and bunions are commonly associated with ingrown toenails.
  • Cutting toenails too short or ripping them off may lead to nails digging into the surrounding skin.
  • A fungal infection of the toenail can cause it to become thick and may even change the shape which oftentimes increases the risk for a sore ingrown toenail.
  • Stubbing or dropping a heavy object on a toe can cause injury to the nail and surrounding tissue. If the nail root, also called the nail matrix, is damaged, it will affect the way the nail continues to grow over time. Banging your toe can also cause the nail to pierce the skin surrounding it, leading to an ingrown toenail.

Is it possible to prevent ingrown toenails and how are they treated?

  1. Make sure you’re cutting your nails properly at home. It’s best to cut them straight across and not too short. An emery board file can be used to smooth the sides of the nail. If you’re having difficulty cutting your own nails, a Registered Chiropodist or a Footcare Nurse can perform routine toenail trimming. A routine medical footcare appointment involves the use of an antiseptic such as rubbing alcohol before cutting the offending nail. After cutting the nail, a small file is used to make sure the nail is smooth and is no longer digging into the skin at the sides. When this is done regularly on a consistent basis, medical footcare treatments can make a world of difference!
  2. Supportive footwear in the proper size and shape for your feet will accommodate your toes and allow them to move freely when you move, without pressing into the shoe. At BioPed Footcare, our lower limb clinicians will measure your feet in length and width and recommend the best shoe for you.
  3. Toenail bracing has come a long way! Applying a composite resin to the nail plate can effectively train the nail to grow straighter and less curved.  It’s non-invasive and described by many as a painless treatment with zero downtime. This method of nail correction has been proven safe for persons of all ages, with all nail types including children and people with diabetes. The correction effect is long-lasting and will significantly ease pain and discomfort from issues such as ingrown, detached, split, and misshaped toenails.
  4. Nail avulsions are minor surgical procedures performed in the clinic by a Registered Chiropodist. It’s a long-term treatment option that involves removing part of the nail or the entire nail plate and application of a topical medication to kill the nail matrix. This procedure does involve some down time for healing but can be an excellent option for chronically painful and infected ingrown toenails.

If you have been suffering from pain and discomfort due to an ingrown toenail, contact your local BioPed clinic today to book an assessment with a Registered Chiropodist or Footcare Nurse  to start feeling more comfortable once and for all!*

*Medical footcare at BioPed is available at select locations