Ingrown Toenails: Do’s and Don’ts

Ingrown toenails are one of the more common and more painful conditions that we at Texas Foot Specialists treat in our Sugar Land (281-242-4448), Pasadena (281-991-0600), or Houston (713-664-6677) offices. Some patients mistakenly think that ingrown toenails “just happen.” But there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing them. Below are some do’s and don’ts for dealing with ingrown toenails.

Don’t: cut your nails too short. The number one cause of a toenail becoming ingrown is cutting it so that the edge of the nail is at level with the nail bed. This allows for the skin surrounding the nail to easily overlap it and then the nail starts to grow back into the skin.

Do: trim your nails straight across. Unlike fingernails which some people like to round the edges, toenails should always be cut and filed straight across. Curving or rounding the edges sends them heading into the skin at the nail edge.

Don’t: wear socks and shoes that are tight in the toe area. When toenails spend long periods of time squeezed up against each other, they are more likely to become ingrown.

Do: try soaking a toe that you believe is becoming ingrown in warm, soapy water several times a day. This may soften the skin enough to allow you to gently massage the nail out. If you have diabetes, however, don’t wait.  Make an appointment with us at the first sign of an ingrown toenail.

Don’t: try to cut the nail out of your skin with a sharp instrument. This most often leads to injury and infection. Let our podiatrists, Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum take care of the toenail. They will be able to gently numb your toe and remove the offending nail.

Do: contact us right away if the skin around the nail is oozing pus and/or you have a fever. These may be the signs of an infection that require immediate medical attention.