Toenails are things most people don't think a lot about, unless it is to get a pedicure or if they are painful. If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail in Valencia, CA, Dr. Tony Avakian of Valencia Foot and Ankle Center can help you to get your toenails back to where you want them to be.
Ingrown toenails can be caused by several things, not the least of which is heredity. It can also result from ill-fitting shoes, cutting your toenails too short, or stubbing your toe.
Ill-fitting Shoes
Having shoes that fit your feet well is important for so much of your foot health and happiness. You may think that only tight shoes can cause an ingrown toenail, but you would be wrong. Shoes that are too loose can cause the same difficulty. Your shoes need to provide support but not pinch your feet or flop around. Try to make sure that your shoes fit correctly with room in the toe box. Leave at least a half inch at the end of the shoe or boot. Make sure that your toes can lay flat in the toe box and have a supportive heel and arch.
Cutting Toenails Too Short
Long toenails can be painful, which leads many people to a tendency to cut their toenails too short, so they don't have to do it as often. When you cut them too short, the skin on the sides can grow over the corner of the nail, which leads to an ingrown toenail, also a painful condition. Moderation is the key to happy toenails.
Stubbing Your Toe
Trauma to your toenail such as stubbing your toe can end up causing damage to the toenail and even result in it becoming an ingrown toenail in Valencia, CA.
Contact Dr. Avakian of Valencia Foot and Ankle Center if you have ingrown toenail issues in Valencia, CA. You can reach us on the phone at (661) 288-2321 or by using the form on our website.