Ingrown toenails can happen to anyone as they are fairly common. Despite being a common condition, they can be painful and even get infected if not treated early on. Ingrown toenails occur when the corners of your toenails grow into your skin next to your nail. This most often impacts your big toes, but it can happen on any of them. If you have had more than one ingrown toenail you may wonder, why do I get ingrown toenails? Below you will find the most common causes of ingrown toenails and the best ways to prevent them from coming back.
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
There are a wide variety of causes of ingrown toenails. They can occur in both men and women, and in people of all ages. Below are some of the common causes of ingrown toenails.
- Improper Nail Care: Cutting your toenails properly can make a huge difference when it comes to combatting ingrown toenails. However, improper nail care can exacerbate the issue. Cutting your nails at an angle on the sides instead of straight across can cause your nail to grow into your skin.
- Sweaty Feet: People who are susceptible to sweaty or moist feet can be at a higher risk for ingrown toenails. This is most common in teenagers during puberty, but it can happen to anyone with considerably sweaty feet. Improper foot hygiene can cause a number of issues, including ingrown toenails.
- Shoes: If your shoes place a lot of pressure on your big toes it can cause ingrown toenails. High heels, narrow-toed shoes, and flats can all put excess pressure on your toes which can result in ingrown toenails.
- Older People: As you age your nails will thicken. Older people are more susceptible to ingrown toenails because of this.
- Certain Sports: Some sports can increase your risk of ingrown toenails due to the pressure placed on your toes. Ballet, football, and soccer can place excess pressure on your toes so use caution during these activities.
- Trauma: Injuries to your toe can cause ingrown toenails. Things like stubbing your toe, dropping something on your foot, or even sports injuries can result in trauma to your toe.
Ingrown Toenail Treatment
Getting treatment for your ingrown toenail is important due to the potential risks associated with the issue. Issues such as a bacterial infection, fungal infection, cellulitis, paronychia, and scarring are all associated with untreated ingrown toenails.
Ingrown toenail treatment in Los Angeles is fast and can help reduce the painful symptoms. The treatment includes:
- Lifting your toenail
- Partially removing the ingrown toenail
- Removing ingrown nail and tissue
The type of treatment solely depends on how severe your ingrown toenail is. Lifting the nail is sufficient for a slightly ingrown toenail. However, more severe cases require partial or full removal. Dr. Jamshidinia is a skilled foot and ankle doctor in Los Angeles who has helped countless patients with ingrown toenails.
If you experience any of the symptoms associated with an ingrown toenail, consider treatment as soon as possible. The first signs include redness, pain, and swelling around your nails. At this point your ingrown toenail can become infected and may result in pus drainage. Contact a skilled podiatrist when you see the early signs and symptoms of an ingrown toenail.
Ingrown Toenail Prevention Tips
Preventing ingrown toenails can save you a lot of time and headache. Focus on good foot hygiene by keeping your feet dry. This includes clipping your toenails properly as you should avoid a curved shape and allow your nails to grow out. Cutting them short and round places you at a higher risk for ingrown toenails. Choose shoes that have wider toes to ensure your toes are not squished together. Shoes that fit properly also allow for breathability so your feet do not get moist throughout the day. If you do any intense physical activities or play sports, wear proper footwear. This can help you avoid injury and the potential for ingrown toenails. Talk with Dr. Jamshidinia at Jamfeet for more tips on how to reduce your risk of ingrown toenails.