Ingrown Toenails and Footwear: Tips for Choosing the Right Shoes
Ingrown Toenails and Footwear: Tips for Choosing the Right Shoes
An ingrown toenail can be a cause some discomfort and pain. They can become tiresome when you have a repeating ingrown toenail issue. There are multiple reasons you may get ingrown toenails, such as pulling and picking at the nails or trimming them excessively, in particular trimming down the sides making the nail look curved. However, one of the major factors that people tend to overlook is the shoes you wear. This is especially so when they are too tight, however very loose fitting footwear can also cause ingrown toenails.
Getting the fit right
The first step that you can take to avoid getting ingrown toenails is to choose a pair of shoes that fit you well. If the shoes are too tight they will lead to ingrown toenails by putting pressure on your toes which will push the toenails into your skin. If the toenails are always being pressed against the skin, they might become swollen and inflamed, which can make it more likely that the nail will grow into the skin.
Choosing shoes with wide-toe boxes
If your shoes have pointy or narrow toe boxes they can squeeze your toes against one another, which can lead to the toenails to grow into the skin. There is no necessity for them to be excessively wide, all they have to be is suitable for your feet and the type of feet you have. This will make sure that your toes can spread out normally. A good starting point in this case is shoes with square or rounded toe boxes.
Looking for shoes with flexible and soft uppers
The material used to make the upper part of the shoes is an important factor in this context, as it can also affect how your toenails grow. If the shoes have rigid and stiff uppers, they can put pressure on the toes, leading them to curl under and grow beneath your skin. Always look for shoes with flexible and soft uppers that let your feet move normally. Mesh and leather are good options.
Other ways that you can aim to avoid or manage an ingrown toenail can include:
- Avoiding high heels – high heels can overload your forefeet causing pain and can lead to possible ingrown toenails.
- Regular check ups with a podiatrist – In particular if you find it difficult to trim/ cut your nails, visit a podiatrist for regular treatment. They can offer other foot care advice also.
