Children are just as prone to ingrown toenails in their feet as adults. The terribly uncomfortable condition can happen for a wide variey of reasons including the nails of a child being cut too short. In this case children should have their nails trimmed evenly and carefully to avoid a cut that could cause an ingrown toenail. Parents should make sure their children are wearing the correct size shoes and socks since wearing shoes that are too small for his or her feet could also cause ingrown nails.
A child could also develop an ingrown toenail based on the genetics of their nails. Although it is less common, certain inherited curves of the nail may be more susceptible than others. Treating this condition at home could potentially lead to a bacterial infection; parents might want to leave the matter to a professional.
Ingrown toenails are can be a very discomforting experience, and in the worst cases surgery might be required to get rid of them. If you think you have an ingrown toenail, consult podiatrist Dr. Mark Landry of Kansas. Dr. Landry will confirm your diagnosis and do everything he can to treat your problem.
Ingrown Toenails Causes
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
There are a number of risk factors for ingrown toenails. Some include cutting your nails too short, participating in strenuous sports, diabetes, obesity, and fungal infection. Some are genetically predisposed to ingrown nails, although wearing ill-fitting or damp shoes can exacerbate the problem.
There are a number of steps you can take to treat ingrown nails:
-Let your toenails grow out
-Soak the toes in hot water with antibiotic soap or Epsom salts
-Placing a piece of cotton under the affected nail may allow the toe to grow up instead of into the nail bed
-Rest with your feet up
If however, your pain is severe, or you see red streaks running up your leg, you should see a podiatrist. Your podiatrist may make a small incision and remove part of the toe nail to relieve the pressure. A local anesthetic may be used to lessen the discomfort of the operation. Topical medication may also be prescribed to prevent the regrowth of the problem nail.
If you have any questions, please contact our office in Overland Park, KA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment services for all your podiatric needs.
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