1. Foot care: Ingrown Toenails Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

2. What is an ingrown toenail?  Common foot condition that can normally be self-diagnosed Common foot  Occurs when the sides of your toenails begin to grow into the skin surrounding your nail  Normally occurs in the big toe but any toe can be affected  More than 3 million people suffer from ingrown toenails in the United States each year

3. Ingrown Toenail Causes  Genetics – if mom and dad suffer from ingrown toenails frequently, chances are you will too  Improper trimming – visit your podiatrist to make sure your toenails are being trimmed correctly  Improperly-fitting footwear – shoes that are too tight can put pressure on your nails, resulting in an ingrown toenail  Poor foot hygiene – not keeping your feet clean and dry could lead to an ingrown toenail

4. Additional Causes of Ingrown Toenails  Poor posture  Irregular or curved-shaped toenails  Injuring your toe (stubbing your toe or dropping something on your toe)  Certain athletic activities that put more strain on your feet:  Ballet  Soccer  Kickboxing

5. Identifying an Ingrown Toenail  It is imperative to identify and treat your ingrown toenail at its earliest stages to prevent an infection from developing. If severe, an infection could result in amputation.  Here are some common signs of an ingrown toenail:ingrown toenail  Pain  Inflammation  Redness  Bleeding  Pus  Skin overgrowing around toe

6. Ingrown Toenail Treatments: conservative Options  Treat your ingrown toenail as early as possible to prevent an infection that would require further treatment.  Soak your foot with the ingrown toenail 3 to 4 times each day and be sure to dry your foot completely  Wear shoes that have enough room for your toes. Consider switching to sandals while your ingrown toenail is healing  If you’re experiencing associated pain, over-the-counter pain medication can provide some relief

7. Ingrown Toenail Surgery  For ingrown toenails that are severe or infected, your podiatrist may recommend surgery to treat the conditionyour podiatrist  In most cases, oral antibiotics will be prescribed in addition to partially or completely removing the affected nail  Your podiatrist may also remove some of your nail bed or the surrounding skin  Removing the nail permanently may be recommended if your condition is chronic

8. Prevent Ingrown Toenails from Recurring  Wear shoes that aren’t too tight and have enough room for your toes  Cut your toenails straight across  Your podiatrist can trim your toenails correctly to prevent the condition  Keep your feet clean and dry  Consult your podiatrist or foot doctor if you have a toe injury that may cause an ingrown toenail