What Are The Causes of Ingrown Toenails?
When a toenail becomes ingrown – where one side, both sides, or the top of the nail grows into the skin – can be painful and if not treated in time, this condition can develop into a severe infection. Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd are podiatrists at the Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute in Bozeman and Butte, MT, where they treat ingrown toenails.
Symptoms of An Ingrown Toenail
Bozeman residents with an ingrown toenail may experience the following symptoms:
- Pain on one or both sides of the toenail
- Tenderness to the toe
- Swelling and redness around the toenail
- Infected tissue around the nail
Causes of An Ingrown Toenail
An ingrown toenail can be caused by the following, according to your Bozeman podiatrists:
- Wearing shoes that are too small
- Wearing shoes that squeeze your toes together
- Not cutting your toenails in an even line
- Cutting your toenails too short
- Trauma to your toenail
- Having unusually curved toenails
When you Should See a Podiatrist
You should talk to Dr. Greene or Dr. Judd if you experience one or more of the following:
- You have persistent pain in the affected toe
- You have swelling or redness that is spreading
- You have puss coming from around the nail
- You suffer from diabetes
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
You can prevent an ingrown toenail in the following ways:
- Wear shoes with plenty of room in the toe box.
- Trim your toenails straight across and don’t cut them too short.
- Keep your toenails to a moderate length.
- If you are unable to trim your toenails yourself, make regular visits to a podiatrist.
- If you have a job that puts your toes at risk of injury, wear protective shoes or boots.
- Check your feet regularly for problems, particularly if you have diabetes.
If you are looking for help with your ingrown toenail, call (406) 782-2278 to request an appointment with Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd of Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute in Bozeman and Butte, MT.
