At any given time, around 5% of the Canadian population is dealing with the pain and discomfort of ingrown toenails. While not generally life-threatening this issue can be very disruptive to regular life and daily activities.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know if the pain being experienced is an ingrown toenail or another problem altogether. Knowing what ingrown toenails are and knowing what may be done will help someone receive the proper care as soon as possible. This will help minimize trauma and move forward toward a healthier life.
Read this guide to learn everything a person needs to know about ingrown nail problems!
What Are Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails happen when the edge of the nail grows under the skin surrounding the nail bed instead of on top. That growth in the wrong area places a lot of extra pressure on the skin and is very painful. They're most commonly caused by improper nail trimming techniques, squished toes while wearing shoes, or other toe injuries.
Ingrown Toenail Symptoms
Luckily, an ingrown toenail is completely treatable and usually doesn't leave any lasting damage to the toe or nail.
Some patients attempt to cut out the ingrown portion of the nail on their own at home. But it's safer and more effective to let a professional handle the removal process. It's also much more comfortable for the patient as the doctor will numb the affected area before doing any removal.
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
Once a patient has gone through the entire ingrown toenail process, they likely won't ever want to repeat it. In order to prevent an ingrown toenail, the proper nail trimming techniques should always be used. The nail should be trimmed straight across and be left a little longer than the toe itself.
It's also important to follow good foot hygiene and give them the space to move while wearing shoes.
Finding Relief from Ingrown Toenails
Minor injuries and illnesses can often cause more problems than major ones do. Mainly because it's easy to put off treatment when you can manage daily activities (even if it's through pain).
One won't have to put off taking care of ingrown toenails if they are aware of what they are, and the available treatment offered to them. They'll be able to see the symptoms of an ingrown toenail as soon as they appear and visit their doctor right away. This will help reduce the severity and make sure no other problems come up.
Our team can quickly and efficiently remove ingrown toenails, as well as treat all other foot problems. If you're experiencing any regular foot problems, contact us today for a consultation!