I have suffered from ingrown toenails before in the past. Believe me folks; they are not fun to deal with. Ingrown toenails are excruciatingly painful. My first ingrown toenail was around the time I had started college. Since I am a huge fan of shoes, especially high heels, I know they can be very uncomfortable to walk in them. I’ve been used to wearing high heels since I was very young in my early days of high school. I was always very blown away by the many glamorous, pretty shoes featured in old movies or on fashion magazines. What I did not know was what the high heels were doing to my toenails. Little did I know I was struck with the pain of an ingrown toenail growing into my skin. Ugh, yuck.

            An ingrown nail or onychocrytosis, is better known as a common form of nail disease or trauma. This is most common in the toenails, but can occur in nails of the hand and feet. Usually, inflammation occurs around the ingrown nail causing an infection of redness, swelling, pus, and bloody discharge. Many causes of ingrown toenails are footwear. For example, I have come to realization that wearing pointy toe high heels every single day for a long period of time can result in ingrown toenails. Since the toenails are squished tightly against the high heels, the foot becomes very uncomfortable with the toenails suffering much more discomforted pain. Improper clipping of the toenails could be another case too. I used to clip my toenails in an oval circular shape. Since my nail technician told me it is best to clip them straight like a square, it will prevent ingrown toenails. Injury could also be another case that can deeply cause ingrown toenails as well. Many people who play sports or exercising could experience this pain sometimes.

            To prevent ingrown toenails, it is always best to clip the ends into a “v” shape form. This prevents the nail bed from growing into an ingrown nail. Clipping the nails straight across helps too. Avoid growing your toenails too long since wearing footwear may cause some damage. If the problem persists, seeing a specialized podiatrist, or foot doctor helps to find proper treatment. A home remedy such as soaking your feet and hands in Epson salt helps to relieve the pain. I have done this before in the past and it works. Epson salt is also great for baths too. Do try to avoid ingrown nails. They are full of pain and wearing comfortable footwear helps. Applying cuticle oil to your nails each day helps too moisturize the nail bed too. This can prevent ingrown nails in the future.