'Miss Foot Fixer' removes a sharp ingrown toenail
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Ingrown toenails can occur on any toe and can cause redness, swelling, pus, pain, and can also make you have shivers or a temperature. Express.co.uk chatted to Dr Marion Yau, known as “Miss Foot Fixer” the Harley Street podiatrist to find out what to do if you have an ingrown toenail.
Ingrown toenails typically happen on your big toe, but you can get them on any toe.
Dr Yau explained: “Instead of the nail growing uniformly in length, as usual, its sides begin to grow into the surrounding skin, causing redness and inflammation.
“Ingrown toenails are a painful problem and particularly prevalent amongst diabetics.”
If you’re not diabetic and you’re prone to ingrown toenails, this could be self-inflicted
Dr Yau said: “Ingrown toenails otherwise tend to occur where the nail has been damaged or cut too short, producing sharp edges.
“Equally, ill-fitting footwear which squeezes the toes together can encourage the nail to grow inward.”
Make sure you wear shoes that fit properly and make sure you cut straight across your nail rather than the edges and don’t cut them too short.
How to remove an ingrown toenail
If you suspect an ingrown toenail, you shouldn’t attempt to remove it yourself.
No matter what the cause is, you should always visit your GP if you think you’ve got an ingrown toenail.
The GP will check the toe to see if it is an ingrown toenail and then either give you antibiotics if the nail is infected or send you to a foot specialist.
Foot specialists like Dr Yau may offer treatments such as cutting away part of the nail or removing the whole nail.
In the meantime, there are a number of Dr Yau-approved home remedies to try to ease the pain and treat it at home
She said: “Home remedies can be useful, including regular soaking of the foot to reduce swelling or inserting dental floss under the ingrown areas of the nail to encourage it to grow out.”
You should soak your foot in warm water three to four times a day for a few days to soften the skin around the toe and stop the nail growing into it, but make sure you keep your feet dry for the rest of the day.
Slip into wide, comfortable shoes or sandals rather than any tight or pointy shoes.
Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain until the problem is resolved.
Whatever you do, don’t try to cut the toenail or change its course by yourself! Leave the toenail to grow out without picking it.
Source: Read Full Article