How to Prevent and Treat Ingrown Toenails
If you’ve ever had an ingrown toenail you know they can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, to say the least. Depending on the degree of severity, your experience can range anywhere from mild irritation to life-altering disruption.
There’s a common misconception that the nail salon is the place to go to deal with ingrown toenails. You may have seen many Nail Technicians “working on” ingrowns, “digging out” ingrowns, or otherwise “taking care of them” for clients. But did you know that ingrowns are not within the scope of work for a Nail Technician? And that the very techniques that are meant to prevent ingrowns can actually cause them?
When to See a Nail Tech and When to See a Podiatrist
The job of a Nail Technician is to provide cosmetic treatments for the nails. In other words, they are concerned with the beautification of the nails. Nail Technicians provide many treatments that can make nails appear healthier, and in some cases improve nail health, but they are not healthcare providers. While it is very important that they be able to recognize disorders and diseases of both the nails and skin, that does not mean they are licensed to treat them!
The truth is: if a toenail is already ingrown, nail technicians are supposed to refer the client to a podiatrist. Any cutting of live skin, digging down into the skin, or even cleaning under the nail too deeply or in the wrong spot, can be very dangerous. It can result in discomfort, irritation, and even infection. Infection in the most extreme cases can lead to amputation or even death. We understand that it can be very confusing when you are used to seeing things done a certain way so often, but that does not make it safe or even legal. Our best advice is to let a podiatrist handle it. If you are in the Nashville area, we recommend Dr. Cary Gannon. You can also visit the American Podiatric Medical Association’s website to find a podiatrist near you.
Tips to Prevent Ingrown Toenails
As Benjamin Franklin said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, let’s look at some ways to avoid getting an ingrown toenail in the first place.
• Don't cut nails too short. The general rule is not to cut them any shorter than the tip of the toe skin. If you have nail polish on, remove it before cutting so you can get a better gauge.
• Don't round out the edges or clip off the corners. A Nail Technician may gently soften the edges with a file so they don’t catch on anything, but the common practice of clipping corners that are naturally square to avoid ingrowns may actually cause them.
• Double check your shoe size. For tennis shoes especially, it’s often good to go up half a size to avoid pressure or rubbing against the shoe. Have your feet properly measured at a good walking store if you’re unsure.
• After your workout, don't leave your feet in your socks and shoes for any prolonged amount of time, bring them out and let them breathe. You don’t want them enclosed in a damp dark space any longer than they need to be. Keep a pair of flip flops in your gym bag for the ride home or in colder weather, change into dry socks and shoes. Side note: it’s always important to thoroughly dry your toes (especially in between) and toenails after getting out of the shower, bath, pool etc. Excess moisture can encourage the growth of fungus.
• Cut your toenails straight across. Curved clippers are meant for fingernails and straight edged clippers are meant for toenails. Using straight edged clippers will make your job a lot easier, but they can be tricky to find. Here are two options we recommend that you can find on Amazon:
Straight Toenail Clippers for Thick Nails
We also currently sell straight edged clippers on site in our Luster Nail Parlour Boutique.
An example of straight edged clippers shown here.
What to Do If You Feel an Ingrown Coming on
Sometimes you may not have a full-blown ingrown situation on your hands, but you can feel the potential building. You know the feeling: soreness, redness, and irritation. This video from expert The Toe Bro shows a great method for potentially nipping it in the bud: Ingrown Toenail Hack Video.
As we mentioned before, if the situation truly has progressed to an ingrown toenail, it’s always best that you see a podiatrist. Even if that seems excessive or inconvenient, it’s what’s best for your nails and therefore your overall heath.
Happy feet can’t be beat.
At Luster Nail Parlour, part of our job is to get your nails looking and feeling exactly how you want them. But we also consider it our job to keep you safe and ensure your nail health over a lifetime. Even if we sometimes must sacrifice the quick fix for the greater good, we think it’s worth it in the long run, and truly in our guests’ best interests. Once your nails are healthy and ready, we’ll be here to make them beautiful and to help you shine. So come in and see us! You can book online any time at LusterNails.com/BookNow.