The Fourth of July in Houston always promises a plethora of activities, from fireworks at CityCentre to The Star Spangled Salute at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion on July 3 at 8 PM. If you have painful ingrown toenails, you might be left missing out on the 1812 Overture while the rest of the family enjoys a festive Independence Day.
Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into the soft fleshy part of the skin surrounding the nail bed. There are a number of reasons why this might happen, including nails being cut too short, wearing shoes that are too tight, and trauma to the toes. If you notice redness or irritation in your toenails, you might be suffering from this problem. Don’t hesitate to treat it because it can lead to an infection if it’s not taken care of.
It’s fairly simple to treat an ingrown toenail at home with conservative methods. First, soak your feet in a warm water bath with Epsom salts for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, when your feet are completely dry, gently push back on the skin with a nail file. Afterwards, clean the nail with some antibiotic ointment and keep it covered with a bandage. Do this several times a week and the skin should begin to heal.
To prevent this problem from happening again, be sure to wear shoes that are roomy enough for your toes. Also, cut your nails straight across and then file them down to the shape you want them to be. It’s an easy problem to avoid, you just need to take a little extra care with your nails.
If you notice signs of infection or have other questions about your ingrown nails, call Dr. Marco Vargas and Dr. Joyce Lee at (888) 784-5335 to schedule an appointment. Vargas Foot & Ankle Specialists is dedicated to your foot health and can treat any condition that you might have!