Ingrown Toenails

Dancing is a great way to stay fit, be creative, and have fun.  However, sometimes dancers struggle with foot pain and problems that can take the fun out of any dance class.  One of the issues includes ingrown toenails.  An ingrown toenail is a condition in which the nail grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders.  An ingrown toenail can be caused by

• Heredity - A dancer may be prone to ingrown toenails if someone in his or her family also struggles with them.
• Trauma - An ingrown toenail may be caused by trauma such as stubbing your toe or dropping an object on it.  Dancing on pointe (especially when nails are too long) or wearing shoes that are too small may also factor in to the cause of an ingrown.
• Improper Trimming - Cutting toenails improperly is another very common cause of ingrown toenails. An ingrown toenail is often the result of trimming nails too short.  
• Improperly Sized Footwear - Shoes or socks that are too tight can cause trauma to toenails. Shoes that are too loose may also cause an ingrown toenail.
• Nail Condition - An ingrown toenail is sometimes caused by a fungal nail infection or losing a nail due to trauma.

There a few preventative steps you can take to avoid having an ingrown toenail.  Be sure that your dance shoes, as well as your street shoes, fit properly.  This helps prevent unnecessary trauma to the toe and toenail.  Also, be sure you are trimming your toenails properly. Cut your toenails straight across and make sure you do not cut them too short.   A good way to test the length is to make sure you can slide your fingernail under the sides and ends of the nail. 

If you are experiencing an ingrown toenail, set up an appointment with your podiatrist.  The doctor will examine your feet and may perform a minor  in office procedure.  He may also prescribe medication if the ingrown was caused by an infection. 

For some products to keep your toenails happy, visit the product store at vailfoot.com.  For example, Dr.'s Remedy Enriched nailpolish is a great way to keep your dancing feet happy and healthy!