3 Great Strategies For Protecting Your Feet This Summer
Summer is a great time to air everything out, including your feet. As you enjoy more time outdoors this summer, here are three best practices to keep in mind for healthy feet.
When an Ingrown Toenail Requires Help from Your Podiatrist
If your big toe is throbbing and hurts when you put on shoes or walk, you may have an ingrown toenail, which is a common condition that occurs when a piece of your toenail cuts into the corner of your toe skin.
Causes of ingrown toenails
There are many factors that contribute to an ingrown toenail, which usually affects your big toe:
- You bumped your toe
- Your shoes are too tight
- You’re genetically predisposed
- You cut your toenails too short
- You cut your toenails at an angle instead of straight across
- You dance, play sports, or have a job that requires you to put a lot of pressure on your toes
- You’re overweight
- You don’t clean and dry your feet properly
Home remedies for ingrown toenails
Fortunately, ingrown toenails aren’t usually serious, but they can be painful. You can treat them at home with some of the following remedies:
- Applying antibiotic ointment
- Taking pain medications like Advil® or Aleve®
- Soaking in Epsom salt
- Wearing a toe protector in your shoes
- Wearing loose shoes
When to seek a podiatrist for an ingrown toenail
There are times, however, when an ingrown toenail causes significant problems and requires some professional help. At Neuhaus Foot and Ankle, with multiple locations in Murfreesboro, Brentwood, Hermitage, Nashville, Waverly, Smyrna, and Lebanon, TN, our team of expert podiatrists offers some suggestions for when you should seek help at one of the clinics.
It’s infected
If your toe is warm to the touch, has red streaks, or oozes pus, you should seek immediate care to prevent the infection from spreading to your soft tissues or bones.
The pain is persistent
While an ingrown toenail is painful, it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your day-to-day activities. If the pain is slowing you down or keeping you up at night, see our team to get some much-needed relief.
You have diabetes
If you have diabetes, you already know you need to take extra precautions to care for your feet. Diabetics often suffer from reduced blood flow and nerve damage. Foot problems that stem from sores, calluses, ingrown toenails, and corns are primary reasons that diabetics seek care at a hospital. We can save you the trip.
You have vascular disease
A relatively small problem like an ingrown toenail can become a big deal if you have blood flow problems due to vascular disease. Nerve damage means that you often don’t discern the extent of a problem until the situation is advanced.
Treating an ingrown toenail
To treat your ingrown toenail and alleviate your pain or infection, one of our skilled podiatrists gently lifts and removes the piece of your nail that’s causing the problem. We know your toe is sore and you’re in a lot of pain, so we use a local anesthetic to make sure you’re comfortable during the quick procedure.
In some cases, we may suggest lifting and splinting the nail instead of removing it. This helps train it to grow away from the skin and prevent future problems.
For fast relief from your ingrown toenail, call Neuhaus Foot and Ankle at 615-239-6207 or use the convenient online scheduling option.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Don’t Perform “Bathroom Surgery”: When You Shouldn't Treat an Ingrown Toenail at Home
Ingrown toenails can be incredibly painful, and you just want to put a stop to the discomfort. While treating the issue at home may be tempting, this approach can actually make a small problem worse. Keep reading to learn more.
5 Things We Want You to Know About Toenail Fungus
Summer is upon us, which means your feet are at more risk for developing toenail fungus thanks to more exposure. Here are a few important points we want to make about this pesky foot problem.
Why Diabetic Foot Care Is Important
When you have diabetes, the complications can be as bad, if not worse, than the condition itself. Topping this list are foot problems associated with diabetes, which require specialized care.
4 Types of Arthritis That Can Affect Your Feet and Ankles
Did you know that each of your feet contains about 30 joints, which doesn’t include your large ankle joint? And where there are joints, there can be arthritis. Here’s a look at types of arthritis that affect the feet and ankles.
Common Foot and Ankle Problems Among Runners
Running is an important part of your life, and the health benefits from this exercise are impressive. That said, running can be hard on your feet and ankles, making them more vulnerable to injury.