"1 in 10 Australians suffer from Ingrown Toenails"
An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail grows into the surrounding skin. This may cause pain, infection or inflamation to the effected area. Some ingrowns may self resolve, but others, if left untreated have been know to lead to infections and hospitalisation.
Sufferers of ingrown toenails often describe them as uncomfortable and painful.
Why do some people suffer from ingrown toenails?
Genetics, having Diabetes, taking certain cancer treatment medication, wearing tight shoes and suffering a trauma to the foot are common causes of ingrown toenails.
Here are 3 TIPS to reduce your risk of Ingrown Toenails
How are your shoes fitting?
Did you know that shoes that are too tight or narrow increases your risk of ingrown toenails? Tight and narrow shoes cause pressure to your toes. Over time, increased pressure can cause changes in the shape of your toenails. Curved toenails are at increased risk of becoming ingrown.
Correctly fitted shoes allow enough space for your toes to move, reducing the risk of ingrowns.
Consider how you cut your toenails
Fashion not only influences our wardrobe choices, it also influences the way we shape our nails. Do you like rounding the edge of your nails, or prefer to cut them straight?
Rounding the edges of your toenails increases your risk of ingrown toenails. As the nails grow they have a greater chance of pushing into the skin, leading to ingrown toenails.
No matter what the current trend is, cutting toenails straight minimizes the risk of ingrown nails.
Have your feet experienced trauma?
Trauma to your feet such as:
- stubbing your toe
- dropping something on your foot
- running a marathon
- tripping up a step
- playing soccer in incorrectly fitted shoes
also increases your risk of ingrown toenails. Any trauma that causes a change in the shape of your toenail, increases your risk of suffering an ingrown toenail.
If you are experiencing any pain from your toenails, or would like to avoid your risk.
Make an appointment with us.
References: 1: Australian Healthy Survey, (2020), Australian Podiatry Association.