Ingrowing toenails
Ingrowing Toenails
These can be very painful and sometimes become infected. The nail grows into the skin usually at the side and can become very inflamed and cause pain with various shoes and activities.
If you have inflammation, redness and soreness around the edge of your nail you may be tempted to cut or 'dig' at the edge to see if you can relieve it. Often this just makes the problem worse. Sometimes it can settle down on its own if you look after it well.
Helpful Tips
- Use Salt water to soak you foot. A hand full of salt in a bowel full of lukewarm water and soak in that for 15-30 minutes will really help sooth the toe.
- Use an antiseptic cream at the edge of the toenail. Apply this twice daily.
- Don't bother to cut a 'V' in the nail, its an old wives tail that doesn't work.
- Avoid tight shoes
- If the toe is weeping keel it dressed as per the instruction in the video. Dressing packs are on sale also.
- If it persists it may require antibiotics and or nail surgery, (see below)
Nail Surgery
The good news is ingrowing toenails are easily dealt with. A Podiatrist can numb your toe and do a surgical procedure which cures the problem and prevents it reoccurring. You could book a video consultation appointment for more specific advice with a Podiatrist before confirming you do need to goto a Podiatrist to help.