If you have ever dealt with an ingrown toenail, you know how painful and annoying it can be. At first, it might just feel like a little pressure on the side of your toe. But if it gets worse, you could end up with swelling, redness, or even an infection. Many people try to fix it on their own, but without realizing it, they often make things worse.
Sometimes a small mistake can lead to more pain, longer healing time, or a trip to the doctor. If you are struggling with this problem, learning about these common mistakes can help you heal faster and avoid bigger issues later.
Not Getting Checked by a Podiatrist
One of the biggest mistakes is brushing off the early warning signs. You might feel a little tenderness or see some redness and assume it’s no big deal. But if you let it go too long, the nail can dig deeper into the skin, leading to an infection.
A podiatrist can usually tell right away if your nail is starting to become ingrown. They can treat the issue before it gets worse and may even prevent it from coming back. Waiting too long can make a simple problem turn into something that needs more serious treatment.
Cutting Your Nails Too Short
It might seem like trimming your toenails super short will stop them from growing into your skin, but it usually does the opposite. When you cut your nails too short, it changes how they grow. This makes it easier for the nail to dig into the sides of your toe as it grows back.
It’s better to trim your nails straight across and leave a little length. This helps guide the nail to grow above the skin instead of into it.
Digging Into the Corners
When you feel pressure or pain on the side of your nail, it can be tempting to dig into the corner with clippers or scissors to relieve it. But trying to “fix” it yourself this way often leads to more damage. You might break the skin or leave a sharp edge that cuts deeper.
This kind of picking can also lead to an infection. If you feel like something is stuck under your nail, it’s safer to get it checked by a professional instead of trying to handle it on your own.
Wearing Tight Shoes
Tight shoes or socks that press on your toes can make an ingrown nail worse. They squeeze the nail into the skin and make it harder for your toe to heal. You might not even realize your shoes are part of the problem until you start wearing something roomier and feel immediate relief.
Switching to open-toed shoes or shoes with a wider toe box can help reduce pressure and give your toe the space it needs to recover.
Not Cleaning the Area Properly
If your ingrown nail is already irritated or swollen, keeping it clean is one of the most important things you can do. Many people forget to clean the area or skip it because it hurts.
Letting bacteria build-up can lead to infection, which makes everything more painful and harder to treat. You don’t have to scrub hard, just a gentle wash with warm water and soap a couple of times can make a huge difference.