Ingrown toenails are a very common problem, unfortunately.
Many people don't give their feet the care they need - and deserve. After all, in the rush of everyday life, it's easy to get careless.
But you must remember: the health of your feet is very important to ensure your quality of life.
The feet are our base of support and balance, and the nails play an important role in protecting them.
Ingrown toenails can be very painful, inflamed and even dangerous to your health in some cases. Therefore, it is important that you learn to prevent and treat this problem.
Next, we'll talk about how to keep your feet healthy and what you need to know about ingrown toenails! Including dos and don'ts to alleviate this annoyance.
How to keep your feet healthy?
Our feet and nails, being parts of the lower extremity of our bodies, are often in contact with the ground. That is, a place susceptible to all kinds of contamination.
The risk increases when the environment is more conducive to the proliferation of fungi and bacteria, for example, in clubs, swimming pools, saunas, beach sand and others.
To keep our feet healthy, we must:
- Wash your feet well with soap and water, remembering to rub between your fingers and over your nails;
- Dry them completely, especially between your fingers;
- Change shoes (those for daily use) at least every two days, so that the
- shoe can ventilate. This prevents the proliferation of fungi and bacteria.
- Whenever possible, put your shoes on for sunbathing after cleaning;
- If bad smell occurs, use specific products;
- Watch your feet carefully for any different signs, pain, blemishes, or itching. You may have chilblains or ringworm, pathologies that are very easily acquired due to the vulnerability of this organ;
- Never let chemical products (bleach, detergent, disinfectant etc) come into direct contact with your feet or nails. Always wear protective footwear;
- For those who use nail polish, it is important to remove it completely at least 2 days before performing a new procedure. This will allow your nail to receive the least amount of oxygenation it needs;
- The domestic cut (made by yourself or manicures) should always be done following the shape of the finger, only on its free edge (whitish part after finger separation).
- Corner cuts can only be made by professionals trained in podiatry and with proper and sterilized instrumentation;
- Do not or do not allow excess cuticles to be removed. This practice can cause injuries that can be followed by bleeding, infections or inflammation and pus.
Keeping your feet healthy is always the best way to prevent problems such as ingrown toenails, ringworm, pain from appearing.
However, if your nail is already ingrown, you need to start a more specific treatment.
Ingrown toenail: what not to do?
An ingrown nail happens when part of the skin of the finger prevents the nail from growing. It then begins to grow under the skin tissue.
The nail eventually pierces the skin, which causes inflammation and, consequently, swelling, pain and redness.
In case of pain in the corners of the nails, do not try to remove the part (the corner) that is bothering you, as the wrong cut creates sharp points that pierce the skin, causing infection.
It is very important to emphasize: never try to treat ingrown or inflamed nails at home. It is essential to look for a specialist: doctor or podiatrist.
If infection or inflammation occurs, with or without the presence of pus, it is essential to perform local cleaning with water, soap, serum and antiseptics. Then protect your finger to prevent pressure, bumps and contamination.
After these initial cares, urgently seek a podiatrist (professional who is qualified in podiatry). Observe care with hygiene and sterilization of the place and materials.
Remember that what causes the infection is a lesion that has ruptured, and, because it is open, it is a gateway for fungi and bacteria. Even if the opening is not visible!
Never insert toothpicks, nail clippers or any sharp or sharp objects. In addition to offering a great risk of contamination, this can also cause false relief if you manage to remove a part of the nail that is pressing on.
Only specialists have the proper tools to treat your ingrown nail and prevent nail tips or pieces of skin or nails, which can aggravate the problem.
Infections, however minor, deserve attention and care. This is because they offer risks of falling into the bloodstream, which can bring very serious consequences, including death.
Find an Ingrown Toenail Specialist
It is always important to remember that you should see a specialist, doctor or podiatrist immediately, especially in the following situations:
- If the nail is inflamed or has pus;
- If it is not possible to move the nail;
- If the finger is very swollen or circulation seems to be stuck;
- If there are lesions in the affected region;
- If you are in too much pain to walk;
- If you have a history of problems with poor circulation;
- If you feel tingling in your feet or fingers;
- If the feet are reddish or purplish;
- If you have a fever;
- If you have diabetes.
If you have a recurring ingrown toenail, your podiatrist will make a detailed assessment and plan a treatment to address the cause of the problem.
For example, orthotics can be used, simple devices capable of correcting or restructuring the nail, to prevent new occurrences.
If you want to know the types of orthotics used, read the article: Know the treatments and know what to do with an ingrown nail.
Don't forget: don't try to dig out your nail at home, as this could end up making the situation worse.
Look for a podiatrist so that you can make the treatment correctly and receive specific guidance for your case.
