Can an ingrowing toenail be prevented?
Not absolutely! If you look after your toenails well and prevent them from getting ragged or developing painful spikes, you can reduce the chance of getting an ingrowing toenail. Is there a right way to cut my nails? If you cut your nails straight across, and not curved like the end of the toe, they will not grow into the skin fold of the nail, and hence there is a reduced chance of developing an ingrowing toenail. The end of the nail should be allowed to grow clear of the skin, such that any ragged ends do not dig into the skin. However, even this will not guarantee that you cannot get an ingrowing toenail. It may still happen in well-kept nails, especially if you have had one before or are diabetic. Can I treat an ingrowing toenail myself? If the nail is only mildly inflamed, trimming it straight across and easing the nail out of the irritated area in the nail fold can help. Salt baths can help reduce the inflammation. Salt water, or saline solution, can be made by boiling a pint of
