Do You Have An Ingrown Toenail?
An in-growing toenail is one that pierces the flesh of the toe. It can often be a splinter of nail digging into the flesh, and can be extremely painful. In more severe cases, it can become infected, producing pus and bleeding. In-growing toenails most commonly affect the large toenail, but can affect the other toes too. A nail that is curling (involuted) into the flesh, but isn’t actually piercing the skin, isn’t a true in-growing toenail, but can also be very painful and inflamed.
What should you do?
First of all make sure you cut your nails straight and file any rough edge the way you would with your finger nails.
See a Podiatrist?
The chances are if you are reading this blog you may already have a nail that requires treatment by a podiatrist. This may be simply to remove a spicule of nail or in some cases a removal of the nail may be preferable. This procedure is done following a local aesthetic to ensure the procedure is pain free and the nail bed is then sterilised using a chemical called phenol.
Can footwear cause nail pain?
Yes it can! Appropriate footwear especially a broad toebox to accommodate the toes is essential to provide pressure relief.
Top Tip!
Before you put on your shoes line it up against your foot and see how much room you have.
Written by Bruce McCulloch
Bruce graduated from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh with a 1st Class Honours degree in Podiatry in 2002, and later completed a master’s degree which involved studying advanced practice in biomechanics and musculoskeletal conditions. Bruce established Podiatry Shetland in 2010 and the business has steadily grown since, delivering a wide range of care for patients.
