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Re-activateWhat's the best way to prevent and treat ingrown toenails? —S.D.L., San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ingrown toenails are generally caused by tight shoes, improperly trimmed nails, or both. Tight shoes can make a corner of the nail curl down and dig into the skin, causing swelling, pain, redness, and even infection. The same problem may develop if you clip the nail short, with no protruding edge at the corner; that invites it to burrow under the skin. To prevent ingrowth, choose shoes that don't crowd the toes, and cut the nails straight across, with the corners extending slightly beyond the end of the toe; gentle filing can eliminate any sharp corners.
To treat an ingrown nail, soak your foot in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes and then tuck a piece of dry cotton under the corner of the nail. Seek professional care if you have a heightened risk of infection, caused by diabetes, poor circulation, or weakened immunity, for example; if you can't reach or manipulate the toe; or if the pain worsens, swelling or drainage develops, or the ingrowth persists. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics or suggest surgical removal of part of the nail.Find out more about nail infections and what you can do to prevent them, and take at look at the home remedies that work for toenail fungus.
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