Shoes to Choose for Preventing Ingrown Toenails

Have you noticed a lot of swelling and pain on the skin right next to the nail on any of your toes? You might have ingrown toenails. These can be very painful and, if left untreated, can become infected.

Our team at Southwest Foot & Ankle wants you to know that there are ways you can keep ingrown toenails from developing. One of the main ways is just by making sure you wear the best shoes that fit you and your feet. 

So what are ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails develop when your toenail starts to grow into the skin right around it. The most common place for these to appear is on the big toe. You are the most at risk to develop them if you have feet that sweat often or if you have thick toenails. 

Symptoms of ingrown toenails can include:

• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Pain or pressure 
• Pockets of fluid that develop on the skin

If you ignore the symptoms of your ingrown toenail and leave it untreated, there is a high risk for infection. 

Are there any preventative measures?

There are a few different things you can do to fight against ingrown toenails. These include:

• Trimming your toenails straight across and not in a curved shape
• Keeping your toenails at a moderate length 
• Making sure you feet stay dry and clean

But one of the best ways to prevent ingrown toenails is to make sure you are investing in proper footwear.

Shoe qualifications

One of your best bets to defend against ingrown toenails is to make sure you are wearing the correct shoes. Appropriate shoes are going to have lots of comfortable toe room and have a low heel. Any type of high heel or pointy-toed shoe is only going to aggravate your feet and increase the risk of ingrown toenails. Wearing stockings or moisture-wicking socks is an added preventative measure. If you work in an environment where your feet are at risk of getting injured, wearing steel-toed boots will give you an added layer of protection. 

Even if you are not able to get proper pedicures often, choosing the right shoes can be a great place to start in order to defend your feet against the chance of getting an ingrown toenail.

Putting your best foot forward

If you are prone to developing ingrown toenails and they are affecting your quality of life, our team is ready to help you determine a treatment option that’s best for you. 

You can call our office at 480-900-7399 or book an appointment online today to schedule a consultation with us.