7 WAYS TO PREVENT AND TREAT INGROWN TOENAILS

Ingrown toenails are the worst. Your big toes suffer from big red bumps, nails growing into the skin, and a continuous pressing by your shoes and socks. You want to get rid of it so badly, but you’re also scared of having them removed and end up with missing nails. Avoid all that and ease the pain by treating your infected toenails with the 7 treatments listed below.

1. TRIM YOUR TOENAILS PROPERLY

Trim your toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.

One of the common causes of ingrown toenails is the way you cut your toenails. If they’re not cut properly, they’ll grow in the wrong direction and cause pain. Trim your nails straight across often to avoid getting an ingrown toenail. Never cut them short, rounded, or pointed. 

If you’re having a hard time cutting toenails yourself, then leave it to nail technicians. They can carefully cut off the nail going into the skin with medical pedicures. Visit them once a month, they’ll also provide you with other foot care treatments.

2. SOAK YOUR FEET IN WATER AND SALT

Soak your feet in warm water and Epsom salts to loosen the pain and pressure off your ingrown toenails.

Another way to treat ingrown toenails is by soaking them in a basin filled with warm water and Epsom salts. This treatment relieves your infected toenail from pain and pressure. Place your feet in the water for 15 minutes and repeat 2 to 4 times a day. Make sure to dry your feet right away. 

3. USE ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENTS

After soaking your feet, add antibiotic ointments on your infected toe to decrease redness, swelling, and pain. Apply 2 to 4 times a day as well. Consult a specialist to prescribe one for you.

4. WEAR BIGGER SHOES 

Getting the wrong shoe size can be hazardous to your big toes. If you don’t know your proper size, measure your feet and get the right size to save your toes from pain.

Some people go for bigger shoe sizes, and that’s okay too. Bigger shoes allow you to wiggle your toes and add space away from your shoes’ tips to ward off tight pressings. Your big toe can scream “HALLELUJAH!” instead of “OUCH!”.

Credits: Tenor

Don’t only think about shoe sizes. Think about the shape of your foot and the type of shoes you are wearing. Wearing shoes that are not designed for your foot type can worsen your toes’ conditions. Take the wet test to know the appropriate shoes needed for your feet.

5. THERMAL SOCKS HELP SOOTHE INGROWN TOENAILS

Wear thermal socks to reduce the chances of getting ingrown toenails. Credits: Left – Pinterest; Right – Pinterest.

We know what you might be thinking after reading this. “Are thermal socks the type of socks that place fever on your feet?” You can put it that way. 

Thermal socks reduce the likelihood of your feet becoming cold. Their wooly fabric adds heat to your feet to absorb moisture and keep a constant body temperature. The more your feet are warm, the less the chances of getting ingrown toenails. We know it’ll be hard to wear them in summer, but this is what you may need to do if you want to rid the possibility of infecting your toenails.

6. FOR DIABETICS: WEAR THERAPEUTIC SHOES

Therapeutic shoes increase blood flow that avoid infections in your toenails. Credits: Pinterest.

Therapeutic shoes help those with diabetes holding a damaged nervous system. If you have diabetes, you are at risk of getting infections and a great deal of pain in your feet and toes. With the shoes on, you’ll increase blood flow and protect your skin from injuries.

7. PUT ON SANDALS TO LET YOUR TOES BREATHE

Wear sandals with adjustable straps to relief your infected toenails.

Another tip to treat infected toenails is wearing sandals. Let them be open in the front to let your toes breathe. The sandals should have adjustable straps to fix the footwear to your liking and comfort. 

If you never want to experience having ingrown toenails (or ever again if you’ve had them), then you must do the following: 1. Follow a daily foot care routine, 2. Wear comfortable shoes, 3. Wear thermal socks, 4. Wear therapeutic shoes if you’re diabetic, and 5. Wear sandals. 

Follow more foot care tips from Sikasok to make your feet smile.