The "Toe-tally" Troublesome Tale of
Ingrowing Toenails!

Today, we're delving into the painful world of onychocryptosis…  otherwise known as ingrowing toenails!  

So, hold onto your socks and let's embark on this foot-tastic journey.

Ingrowing Toenails: The Low-down

Imagine, for a moment, you’re a mischievous toenail.  You're meant to grow flat, straight outwards and away from the skin.  But what if, one day, you decided to take a detour and grow sharply into the soft skin surrounding you?  Oops!  That is an ingrown toenail or if we use the medical term…  onychocryptosis!

Why Should You Care?

Aside from the undeniable pain it can cause, ingrowing toenails can lead to some not-so-pleasant complications.  The skin can become red and swollen; sometimes, bacterial infection can occur if the nail breaks the skin.  

But Why Ingrown, Toenail, Why?

We get asked this a lot. Why would a toenail rebel and grow into the surrounding skin? Here are a few suspects:

Tight Shoes:  That trendy, tight-fitting shoe you bought in the sales?  You might think they were a bargain, but they might squish your toes, causing the nail to press into your skin. 

Poor Trimming Technique:  If you’re cutting your nails at home too short or not straight across, you could be inviting trouble.

Toe Injuries:  Maybe you accidentally kicked the door or dropped something on your toe…  (Ouch… we’ve all been there!).   This can often push the skin onto the nail, causing it to ingrow.

The Connection to Your Foot Health

Our feet are like the foundation of a building.  When there's an issue, like an ingrown toenail, it can affect your overall foot health.  Think about it: if you're limping or walking differently to avoid the pain in one part of your foot, you'll be placing additional stress on other areas.  Over time, this can cause other foot problems, from corns to bunions!

And here's a fun fact: our feet carry us approximately 115,000 miles in a lifetime.  That’s like walking around the Earth four times!  So, a small issue like an ingrown toenail can become a big hindrance.  Think of it like toothache…  it’s going to wear you down mentally and physically!

So, if you have a troublesome ingrown toenail, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Podiatry team at We Fix Feet…  the sooner, the better, so we can sort the problem for you, getting you back to the things you enjoy doing, but without the pain! 

Some Foot for Thought

If there’s one thing to remember from this, let it be this: just look after your feet, and they'll look after you!  Regular checks, good hygiene, and proper footwear can go a long way to preventing ingrown toenails, infection and pain!  

And if your nail does take that wrong turn?  Seek advice sooner rather than later, especially if you've got diabetes or poor circulation.  An innocent-looking ingrowing toenail could quickly escalate to a serious infection, gangrene and amputation!

We’re here to help as your foot healthcare experts… not just because we have a thing for feet! 

Footnote for the Future

To keep your toenails on the straight and narrow (literally!), here are our golden nuggets of advice:

- Cut Carefully:  Straight across where possible and not too short. Avoid digging into the corners and leaving sharp edges!

- Shoe Wisdom: Ensure your shoes give your toes the VIP treatment.  Not too tight and with enough room to wiggle those toes…  and not too big.   Well-fitting, supportive shoes are your friend.

- Clean and Check:  Keep your feet clean, and regularly check your nails.  Early detection makes a world of difference!  If it starts hurting or they become sore, something isn’t right!

Repeat Offender: Ingrown Toenail Surgery

If you have a repeat offender ingrown toenail, it may be because the nail has been permanently damaged and will continue to ingrown unless a permanent solution is found…  

That’s where Ingrown Toenail Surgery can work its magic!

if you're imagining a dramatic operating theatre with bright lights and intense music, slow down!  Nail surgery for ingrowing toenails is a simple routine procedure our Podiatrists undertake in-clinic. 

What does that involve?

Local Anaesthetic: Your toe gets numbed, similar anaesthetic to that used by the dentist.

Nail Nip: The offending part of the nail is removed - either the ingrown sides or, in some cases, the whole repeat offender ingrown toenail.

Bye-bye Toenail Matrix: Sometimes, a chemical is applied to stop that part of the nail from growing back and causing more trouble

Dress and Impress: Your toe's dressed, you get some swanky aftercare advice, and off you go!  We’ll get you back as part of our aftercare to review and ensure everything is healing well.

Post-surgery, your toe might just be a bit sore as the skin healing process occurs, but it’s a short-lived price to pay to kick that ingrowing nuisance out of the party for good!

So, there you have it: how to prevent and how We Fix Feet can help you with your ingrowing toenails.  If you have any queries, remember you've got experts at our Ilkeston and Beeston Podiatry clinics ready to help.  Click the link to book in if you have any ingrown toenail concerns: https://wefixfeet.co.uk/book-online/  👣

Wishing you happy, healthy feet.  May your toenails always grow in the right direction! 🦶🌟

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