Debunk Common Ingrown Toenail Myths With Our Experienced Vancouver Podiatrists
Like many medical conditions, ingrown toenails are often misunderstood. If you’re suffering from the pain and inconvenience of this nail condition, you don’t want to extend your recovery time with ineffective treatments.
At Clover Podiatry, we want to ensure that you always have the correct information to make educated decisions about proper foot health. So, we break down some common myths about ingrown toenails so you can choose the most effective treatments.
What Causes Ingrown Toenails?
Ingrown toenails occur when the side or corner of a nail grows into the flesh of the toe. You might notice pain, inflamed skin, swelling, and sometimes infection. Causes of ingrown toenails include:
- Trauma
- Shoes that crowd the toenail
- Cutting toenails too short at the corners
- Nail infections
- Certain medical conditions like psoriasis
- Improper hygiene, such as leaving feet sweaty
If you have thick or curved toenails, you’ll likely be more susceptible to ingrown toenails. Some people also have a tendency to develop nail problems because of genetics or chronic health conditions like diabetes that restrict blood flow.
7 Common Myths About Ingrown Toenails
At Clover Podiatry, we want you to feel confident about caring for your feet properly, which is why we provide extensive information on our site about many conditions. Here are the facts you need to determine the next steps in your understanding of ingrown toenails.
1. You Only Get Ingrown Toenails on Big Toes
This myth exists because many people—but not all—develop the condition here. However, ingrown nails can happen on any of your toes and even on your fingers.
2. Fix an Ingrown Toenail by Cutting a “V” Into the Edges of Your Nail
Some people believe the “V” shape corrects the condition because other cells in the body come together during repair. The assumption is that cells could pull away from the sides of an ingrown toenail. However, nail cells don’t grow this way—they only grow outward from the base of your toe, also known as the nail matrix.
Unfortunately, cutting nail edges may actually contribute to the development of ingrown toenails because this weakens the sides and makes it easier for skin to fold over them.
3. Young Children Can’t Get Ingrown Toenails
Unfortunately, it’s common for little kids to develop this problem. Usually, it’s because their shoes are too tight or their nails aren’t trimmed straight across.
4. Ingrown Toenails Will Get Better on Their Own
Unlike splinters that disappear into the skin, ingrown toenails remain connected to the rest of the nail, which means the nail continues to grow and dig into the skin. This leaves an open wound and the possibility of infection. This problem won’t get better on its own unless you remove the nail spicule—the part of the nail embedded into the skin.
5. Antibiotics Heal Ingrown Toenails
Although antibiotics can help manage infections resulting from ingrown toenails, they cannot fix the nail itself. Complete healing requires the removal of the nail spicule from the skin.
6. You Can Only Treat an Ingrown Toenail by Removing the Entire Nail
When the condition is diagnosed early, we rarely have to eradicate the entire nail. During a normal procedure, we cut away the ingrown portion until the nail lays straight across the toe and then treat the nail bed to prevent recurring ingrown toenails.
7. Ingrown Toenail Surgery Is Painful and Leaves Ugly-Looking Nails
Don’t worry—ingrown toenail surgery isn’t as painful as many people think! Typically, a numbing agent is applied to your toe and nail, and this reduces sensation during the procedure. You might experience minor pain or discomfort after the procedure, but most patients return to regular activity within a day or two.
Although the procedure removes part of the nail, doctors cut it so that the nail has a straight edge, so you won’t be left with an ugly nail afterward.
What Clover Podiatry Recommends to Treat Ingrown Toenails
Now that we’ve debunked some myths, you’re probably wondering how to treat your ingrown toenail.
At-Home Treatments
You can often resolve minor ingrown nails that have minimal irritation and pain—and no signs of infection. Here’s what we often suggest:
- Unless you have diabetes, soak your foot in lukewarm water 2–3 times a day for 15 minutes, massaging your toe and gently pushing the skin away from the nail. Always dry your feet completely.
- Use a piece of floss between the nail and skin to “lift” the ingrown portion away.
- Wear open-toed footwear or shoes with a wide-toe box whenever possible.
- When the toenail grows, cut it in a line straight across, even with the curve of the toe.
In-Office Medical Treatments
If your ingrown toenail is particularly severe or infected, or if it doesn’t get better after conservative treatment at home, schedule an appointment in our office. After a thorough examination, it’s probable that we’ll need to perform one of many procedures to resolve the issue, such as:
- Taping the skin away from the nail
- Using a gutter splint to lift the nail away from the skin fold
- Performing wedge excision to remove part of the nail
- Full nail removal
With your newfound knowledge about ingrown toenails and the myths surrounding them, you can take care of your toes and seek proper medical attention whenever necessary—our doctors at Clover Podiatry are ready to help.