Measures to Manage and Prevent Ingrown Toenail Development

Patient/caregiver was educated on measures to manage and prevent ingrown toenail development as follows:

  1. Avoid wearing shoes with too big heels and narrow toe boxes. This can provide better arch support and avoid undue pressure and compression of toes, thus helping to prevent injury and ingrowing of toenail.
  2. Always wear properly fitting shoes, with appropriate room in the toe box, to accommodate all the toes without any crowding.
  3. Maintain 3 – 4 pairs of shoes, which will give you an opportunity to rotate the shoes. This can expose the shoe to fresh air during the break from wearing and help get rid of the moisture inside the shoe due to sweating and the odor associated with sweating.
  4. Rotation of shoes also helps with avoiding any undue pressure from the same shoe on the same site of the foot, due to continuous use of the same footwear. Individuals with history of ingrown toenails can choose to have open toed shoes, to avoid any pressure of the shoe on the toes.
  5. Observing compliance with receiving booster shots for tetanus, given once every 10 years, can help prevent complications with ingrown toenail. Individuals with an active episode of ingrown toenail must receive a booster shot for tetanus regardless of when they received the last tetanus shot, to prevent any risk for cellulitis & tetanus.
  6. While taking care of toenails, trim the toenails straight across the top, without digging into the sides. Trim your toenails, just to be sure that they are even with the tip of your toes.
  7. Do not try to cut your toenails too short, by digging close to the flesh of your toes. This can increase the risk for ingrowing of toenails.
  8. Do not try to round the nails, by cutting them along the corners. This can increase the risk for ingrowing of toenails. You can choose to use an emery board or nail file, to just smooth the edges out.
  9. Individuals, especially diabetics, must observe compliance with proper foot hygiene and scheduled podiatrist visits. Toenail care by trained personnel can be significantly helpful in preventing development of abnormal and ingrown toenails. Diabetics must also maintain blood sugar levels in the recommended range, by observing compliance with prescribed medications and dietary limitations.
  10. Diabetics and individuals with history of ingrown toenails must watch their feet closely every day for any cuts, wounds, sores, and abnormally growing toenails. Look closely for signs and symptoms of inflammation, especially along the tip of toes. Report any wounds and toe findings of acute pain or tenderness, swelling, and/or foul-smelling drainage to your physician and seek an early intervention.
  11. Clean your feet everyday with warm water and antibacterial soap. Dry the feet good using a clean towel, especially between the toes.
  12. Apply moisturizing cream to the feet every day, to prevent excessive dryness. Avoid applying any moisturizer in between the toes, as this can increase chances for fungal infections. Individuals with active fungal infection of the toes can still apply the prescribed antifungal cream or lotion in between the toes.
  13. Adopt measures to prevent any repetitive toe injury. Individuals with history of complaints, such as, arthritis, foot drop, and gout with a potential of involving the toes, must exercise extra caution, by wearing properly fitting shoes and supports, to prevent any foot and toe injury.

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