Ingrown Toenails - Common Foot Injuries and Cures

Ingrown toenails almost always occur on the big toe and cause pain, as well as a potential infection wherever they grow into the softer skin. If an infection occurs, it can spread up your foot to other parts of your body.

Causes

An ingrown toenail can result from a number of factors, ranging from shoes that are too tight to a genetic predisposition.

Treatment

To treat an ingrown toenail, you must clear up the infection and remove the portion of the nail that is growing into the toe. Clipping the nail can be very painful; consider having a podiatrist do it. Soak your foot in warm water two or three times a day to reduce the infection. Antibiotics are rarely necessary. If your condition is chronic, a physician can permanently remove a portion of the nail root so that the ingrown toenail never recurs.

Prevention

Clip your toenails regularly, especially those on your big toes. Wear running shoes that are wide enough in the forefoot to prevent pressure and friction on the nail of the big toe.

Can you run with it?

Almost always.

Credits

Run The Planet thanks Running The World for the permission to reprint the article “Fourteen common foot ailments and their cures”. Text copyright © 2001 by Running The World.

Other Common Foot Injuries and Cures
• Achilles tendinitis
• Ankle sprains
• Athlete's foot
• Black toenails
• Blisters
• Bunions
• Calcaneal Bumps
• Hammertoes
• Ingrown Toenails
• Metatarsalgia
• Neuromas
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Sesamoiditis
• Stress Fractures