Learn what ingrown toenails are and how to prevent them
Ingrown toenails can be a real pain, literally. They are a common foot ailment that can strike when you least expect it, causing discomfort and sometimes even infection. In this blog post, we're delving deep into the world of ingrown toenails, exploring what they are, what causes them, and, most importantly, how to prevent and treat them.
What Are Ingrown Toenails?
Ingrown toenails occur when the edge or corner of a toenail grows into the adjacent skin, rather than over it. This can lead to pain, swelling, redness, and, in some cases, infection. While they most often plague the big toe, ingrown toenails can crop up on any toe.
Common Causes
Improper Nail Trimming: The most common culprit is improper nail cutting. Snipping your nails too short or rounding the edges can encourage ingrowth. Opt for straight cuts instead.
Tight Footwear: Those stylish yet snug shoes? They might be the reason behind your ingrown toenails. The pressure they exert on your toes can nudge your nails into your skin.
Trauma: Accidentally bumping your toe or dropping something heavy on it can lead to ingrown toenails.
Hereditary Factors: Genetics can play a role, especially if you have naturally curved nails.
Foot Structure: Certain foot shapes or conditions, like bunions, can increase your susceptibility.
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
Luckily, you can take measures to lower your risk of ingrown toenails:
Nail TLC: Get a regular pedicure to trim your nails straight across, avoiding overly short cuts and curved edges.
Footwear Selection: Prioritize shoes that offer ample room for your toes to breathe, minimizing the risk of compression.
Foot Hygiene: Maintain clean, dry feet and moisturize the skin around your nails to prevent dryness and brittleness. We recommend you to use cuticle oil daily and a Footlogix Mousse that fits the necessity of your feet.
Exercise Caution: Stay mindful of activities that could potentially harm your toes, and wear protective footwear as needed.
Regular Check-ups: If you have diabetes or other foot-affecting conditions, consider scheduling regular check-ups with a podiatrist.
Dealing with Ingrown Toenails
In case you find yourself with an ingrown toenail, here are two solutions we have available to treat that pain:
Advanced “Ingrown” Pedicure: consists of manual cleaning of the side skin accumulated. As we mentioned, getting a regular pedicure to trim your nails straight across avoids overly short cuts and curved edges. Also, to clean the excess side skin accumulated.
Onyfix: The process consists of applying a customized band onto the affected nail, which then corrects the shape over time through natural nail growth. The bands will help relieve the pain in your toenail; it is a painless and non-invasive treatment. We are the only certified nail studio in West Coast, Canada, providing this nail correction system. The Onyfix nail correction bands are an Add-On. You need to book a full pedicure service to ensure a clean and even surface for the nail correction bands.
The pedicure, quantity and type of band required will depend on the condition of your toenails. Choose the one that might fit better to the current state of your toenails and feet. We'll need to double-check with the technician at the moment; she will guide you with the best options for you. The total is an estimated amount, which we will assess before providing a final cost estimate.
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