Runners may experience several foot conditions in their career, and a common one is an ingrown toenail. Typically, the toenail grows into the sides of the skin, and this generally causes the runner to experience pain and discomfort. There are many ways to determine if you have an ingrown toenail, and one is to observe if the toe is swollen and painful. Additionally, if the toe appears red or pus oozes from the damaged skin around the toenail, this may indicate an ingrown toenail. If the runner wears shoes that don't fit properly and places extreme pressure on the toes, this may be a cause for developing an ingrown toenail. Additionally, implementing improper care of the toenails may also be a cause, typically developing from cutting the toenails incorrectly. If your running is affected by an ingrown toenail, please consider a consultation with a podiatrist for possible treatment options. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. John Branwell of Kearny, New Jersey. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Kearny, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.