Ingrown Toenails

When a toenail is ingrown, it is curved and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders. This "digging in" of the nail irriatates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe.

If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odor. However, even if the toe isn't painful, red, swollen, or warm, a nail that curves downward into the skin can progress to an infection.

Causes:

• Heredity- in many people, the tendency for ingrown toenails is inherited.
• Trauma- sometimes an ingrown toenail is the result of trauma, such as stubbing your toe, having an object fall on your toe, or engaging in activities that involve repeated pressure on the toes, such as kicking or running.
• Improperly sized footwear-Ingrown toenails can result from wearing socks and shoes that are tigth or short.
• Nail Conditions- ingrown toenails can be caused by nail problems, such as fungal infections or losing a nail due to trauma.

Sometimes initial treatment for ingrown toenails can be safely performed at home. However, home treatment is strongly discouraged if an infection is suspected, or for those who have medical conditions that put feet at high risk, such as diabetes, nerve damage in the foot, or poor circulation.

Tips for cutting your Toenails

Trimming you toenails may seem simple enough, but it isn't something to be done carelessly. While most people don't need to visit a podiatrists to take of their toes-many people need to be sur they're clipping their nails properly to reduce the risk of future foot problems.

Trimming Toenails: The Basics

• Cut striaght across: Guide the cilppers straight across the nail of each toe and avoid cutting nails into a curved shape.
• Use appropiate toenail clippers: Larger clippers are meant for larger nails, and will be easier to cut toenails with than fingernail clippers. Keep clippers and any other tools you use on your toes disinfected (cleaning them with rubbing alcohol before and after using them will do the trick).
• Leave nails a little long: Don't cut nails too short, as it's another reason ingrown toenails occur. It can also leave your toenail susceptible to infection-plus it hurts!
• Cut nails when they're dry not wet: Cutting dry nails will give you a cleaner, smoother cut.
• Make a few small cuts: Don't try to clip each toenail in one shot. Make a few small cuts across your nail.

For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact Affiliated Podiatrists, Inc. at
440-946-5858 or visit our website: www. DrRobertRosenstein.com

And remember..........."When your feet hurt, you hurt all over!"