At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads we know that an ingrown toenail can be extremely painful and debilitating. The most common cause of ingrown nails is improper nail care. It is essential to trim nails straight across and not too short. Do not file toenails with rounded or curved edges. This can make it easy for skin to fold over the nail and start to become ingrown. Other possible causes of ingrown toenails include:

• Heredity
• Trauma, such as stubbing your toe or a heavy object falling on it. Also, activities that cause repetitive pressure and banging to the toe such as running or kicking sports can encourage ingrown nails.
• Nail conditions such as fungal infections
• Improperly fitting shoes. Shoes or socks that are too tight or shoes with narrow toe boxes that squeeze toes together can also cause ingrown nails.

Getting Relief

Your Podiatrist will recommend the best treatment for your ingrown toenail. It may be suggested that you start by soaking your nail in warm water several times a day and trying to gently massage the nail out of the skin—never attempt to cut the nail out! In some cases, a minor surgical procedure may be performed in the Podiatrist’s office to remove the nail’s border or root.

While you wait for your ingrown toenail to heal, we can offer relief from pain with the following products:

All Gel Toe Cap—a soft gel cap slips over your entire toe to ease discomfort and provide cushioning for painful nails. All Gel Toe Caps come in four sizes to fit any toe on men or women. These caps are designed to be used in all styles of footwear. They are washable and can be reused multiple times. An added benefit:  the All Gel Toe Cap releases mineral oil which softens and moisturizes the skin surrounding the nail.

Gel and Fabric Toe Cap—this cap is made of gel and fabric and is intended for all toes except the big toe. Like the All Gel Toe Caps, these Gel and Fabric Toe Caps provide comfortable cushioning and insulates the toe from shock and pressure. They also provide gentle compression which can help control swelling. We also offer this product in a package of 6.

To see all the products we have to help hurting feet, view our online catalog or visit our Deerfield Beach, FL store. Have questions about any of our products? Contact us at: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).