Discover some helpful tips to keep nails healthy and to prevent ingrown toenails. 

Ingrown toenails can be a real nuisance. Whether you deal with them regularly, you have diabetes or you simply want to make sure you are practicing proper foot care to prevent this problem, there are tips that our McKinney and Prosper, TX, podiatrists can offer you to reduce your risk for developing ingrown toenails. Here are some ways to protect your feet from this painful problem.

Wear the Proper Shoes 

You might wear heels to work every day or you might like the way your new boots go with your outfit; either way, if you’re wearing shoes or socks that are too snug, you might find yourself dealing with an ingrown toenail. If you notice that your shoes are jamming up your toes, then it’s a safe bet that it’s time for new shoes (or to at least ditch this pair). Also, ensure that the socks you buy aren’t too bulky for the shoes you are planned to wear with them. No one wants to have their shoe rubbing up against their foot all day long.

Protect Your Feet Against Trauma 

If you play sports like basketball or football, then at some point during a game I’m sure you’ve had to come to a solid stop. When that’s happened, you may have noticed your toes slamming into the front of your shoe. It might seem like a temporary nuisance that you can easily shake off; however, if you experience this enough, you might also experience an ingrown toenail. It’s also important that you are wearing the appropriate footwear for the chosen activity to protect the nails against trauma.

Know How to Properly Trim Your Nails 

Trimming your toenails seems as simple as shaving or brushing your teeth so you might not even think that there’s a technique involved; however, how your nails are trimmed is a big factor in whether or not you develop ingrown toenails.

There are some trimming rules to live by if you want to keep ingrown toenails at bay, First, don’t ever cut nails too short or cut down into the edges. When trimming your nails, always trim straight across. If you really need to trim down the nail edges, then use a file. It might seem like a lot of extra trouble just to trim your nails, but trust us, dealing with an ingrown toenail is far worse. Can’t bend down and trim your own toes? Don’t worry, our McKinney, TX, podiatrists can set up regular appointments to trim your toes for you, so you don’t even have to worry about it.

Avoid Pedicures 

If you love going to the nail salon to get pedicures but you often find yourself getting ingrown toenails afterward, the person doing your nails might be trimming your toenails just a little too short. In this case, you may either way to discuss this with your pedicurist beforehand if you really don’t want to give up your spa days, or you may simply want to start doing your pedicures yourself.

Whether you are dealing with a painful ingrown toenail that’s getting worse or you require diabetic foot care, our podiatry team is proud to provide comprehensive foot and ankle services to the McKinney and Prosper, TX, area. To schedule an appointment with the team at Advanced Foot and Ankle Center, call us today at (972) 542-2155.