Reasons Why You Keep Getting Ingrown Toenails
Do you feel like you're stuck in a foot-related rut? Preventing ingrown toenails can be a struggle, but there are a few explanations for why they keep occurring. And hopefully, there may be a solution to your problem!
You're not wearing the right shoes
Do you know that one of the most common causes of ingrown toenails is wearing the wrong shoes? Plus, more than half the population wears shoes that are too tight. This problem is exacerbated when you wear narrow or high-heeled shoes. The best way to protect your feet and avoid ingrown toenails is to wear shoes that fit well and are the right size for your feet.
Shoes that are too big are just as bad! When your feet slide around, it's hard to walk and your nails get hammered against the front of the shoe.
You can cut your toenails incorrectly!
If you've been cutting your toenails the wrong way this whole time, you may be unintentionally developing ingrown toenails.
When cutting your toenails, there are three common mistakes many people make:
Allowing their nails to grow past the recommended length - Too long toenails are more likely to be pressed inward or become curved.
Cutting their nails too short - Cutting nails too short can lead to toenails becoming snagged as they grow.
Curving the corners too much - Ideally, you should avoid cutting back the corners on your toenails like you would with your fingernails.
To avoid ingrown toenails, you need to cut your nails so they come even with the tip of your toes and make sure they are cut straight from corner to corner. But even if you use a good toenail clipper, you should cut your toenails dry to reduce the chance they will be torn.
You just have curved nails
Curved nails are often at the root of ingrown toenails for many people. This is very unfortunate, but sometimes the cause of your ingrown toenails is unavoidable.
The best way to go about ingrown nails is to book an appointment at a reputable foot centre such as ourselves. You'll be relieved of your ingrown nail quickly and painlessly. Your toes will be numbed and then the nail removed; you'll be bandaged up and ready to go in no time.
*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.