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Ingrown Toenails Painful For Your Big Toe!
Anyone who has gotten an ingrown toenail knows that they can literally be a pain. When one occurs, the toe becomes swollen, red, painful, and can even become infected. Believe it or not, the condition is rather common and almost always happens on one’s big toe.
Just about anyone can get this toenail condition at any time. Unfortunately, if you are among those who have curved toenails, your risk is greater.
If you are not sure if you have this nail condition or not, there are a few signs you can look for. Check to see if the side(s) of your nail are tender and painful. Also look for any redness that can occur around the nail, as well as swelling. Lastly, look to see if the tissue that surrounds your nail is infected.
Should you find that you have one or more of these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Anyone with circulation problems or diabetes should make it a point to visit a podiatrist to ensure that greater complications don’t arise.
There are many was you can develop this nail disorder and the most common causes are:
- Mistakenly cutting the toenail on an angle or too short.
- Wearing footwear that jams your toenails too tightly.
- Having an injury happen to your toenail.
- Having your toenail thicken.
- Having toenails that are unusually curved.
An ingrown toenail that is not properly treated can cause in infection in your toe’s underlying bone, eventually causing an even more serious infection.
If you don’t want to immediately call your doctor, you can try treating the problem yourself. A good way is to soak your foot in warm soapy water or warm salt water three times each day for at least 15-20 minutes. After the foot has soaked, place a piece of cotton under the nail’s edge to help redirect it from skin. Topical antibiotics can be applied, as well as a bandage to protect the area.
While treating an ingrown toenail at home, you should wear sensible shoes to relieve pressure while walking. Pain relievers also work well to dull the ache.
Home treatments don’t always work, so the help of your doctor may be needed. In that case, your doctor can perform a simple procedure in which he or she removes the part of the nail that has grown inward.
Prior to the procedure, the toe will be numbed with an anesthetic so you won’t feel any pain while the nail is being removed. After the procedure has been completed, you will more than likely be instructed to use either an oral or a topical antibiotic to prevent infection.
For prevention, make sure to keep your toenails cut straight across, don’t cut them too short, wear comfortable shoes that don’t crowd your toes, and, if you find yourself in situations where your feet could be injured, wear protective footwear that will kelp to keep them safe.
Ingrown toenails can be painful. But, if you properly care for your nails, they can be easily prevented.
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