Cutting nails
- Always cut your toenails straight across. If this is not possible, you can cut them in a U-shape (concave);
- Never cut your nails in a rounded shape. This can cause them to grow in;
- Do your nails split easily or crumble? If so, trim them with small snips or use a nail file
Ingrown toenail
With an ingrown toenail, a sharp tip of the nail presses into the skin. As the nail is very hard, the nail fold can become irritated or inflamed. Sometimes the tip of the nail pierces the skin, resulting in an ingrown toenail.
Causes of an ingrown toenail
There are various reasons why an ingrown toenail may develop:
- An abnormal shape of the nail. For example, a nail that is very rounded;
- Sensitive skin caused by sweaty feet;
- Too much pressure on the toes caused by wearing shoes that are too small;
- Toenails that are cut incorrectly.
Complaints about ingrown toenails
An ingrown toenail can cause a variety of symptoms, such as:
- Stabbing and throbbing pain;
- A red and painful swelling at the edge of the nail;
- Abscess formation where the nail has grown into the skin;
- Pressure on the nail is painful. Wearing socks or shoes is very uncomfortable.
Podiatry
A podiatrist can help you if you are suffering from an ingrown toenail. The podiatrist will remove the piece of nail that has grown into the skin. If the skin is inflamed, the inflammation will subside as soon as the ingrown nail has been removed.
The podiatrist also ensures that the nail does not grow in again. This can be prevented by placing a piece of gauze between the skin and the nail. The nail can then no longer press into the skin. Sometimes a nail grows in because it is too curved. In that case, the podiatrist will make a nail brace. The podiatrist fits the nail brace onto the nail. This prevents the nail from pressing into the nail fold.
Foot care and shoe tips
- If you have an ingrown toenail, do not use foot baths containing bicarbonate of soda or Biotex. These actually make the skin and nail soft and vulnerable;
- Is your ingrown toenail inflamed? If so, it’s best to rinse it thoroughly under the shower;
- Please ensure that there are no stitches or seams on or inside the shoe near the toenails. Hard stitches and seams can cause pain, irritation and pressure;
- The same applies to socks and tights: the seams must not run over the toenails. This too can cause irritation;
- When choosing shoes, ensure there is sufficient space for your toes in terms of width, length and height. When your toes have enough space on all sides, there is a much lower risk of excessive pressure being placed on your toenails.
