Going straight. Ingrown toenails are definitely in the top 5 foot and ankle complaints I see in my practice basically on a daily basis. After I have provided treatment I am always asked, How do I prevent this from coming back? Half of the ingrown toenails are a congenital problem and the best solution is to have permanent removal of a small side portion of the nail so it never grows back; thusly, you will not have an ingrown toenail again. NOTE: most people fear that they will have an unsightly looking toenail. They only two people that will know? You and me. You cant really tell that a small portion of the nail has been removed. Now, for the remaining half, ingrown toenails occur from poor nail maintenance. The majority of people have been told to trim their toenails straight across. But is 15 years of seeing patience and with my education, training and experience; this is the wrong way to cut your nails. Your toes are semi-elliptical and should be trimmed with contour. Anther words, follow the curvature of your toe. Really visualize the edge of the nail and cut a slight slant. In closing, I am also asked about pedicures. I dont have a problem with them as long as you follow a couple of rules. #1 Go as the first customer. Equipment, technicians, the business are the cleanest at the beginning of the business day. #2 Dont soak your feet especially if you have any open areas in your skin. #3 If you get pedicures frequently, purchase your own nail bits to take with you for the technician to use. That way they only touch your feet and you clean them yourself. #4 Nail polish. Do not wear nail polish frequently as this creates an occlusive environment for nasty little things to happen to your toenails like nail fungus. I recommend only having nail polish on your nails for one week and then giving them a rest from polish of at least that time period or longer.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Apr 2014 11:37:24 +0000
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