Ingrown toenails bring great pain. It grows into the skin of the toe thus causing the pain. They can also become infected and lead to dismaying symptoms such as pus, redness, and swelling.
Ingrown toenails can be caused by a variety of external and internal factors such as heredity and poor footwear. You can learn more about these causes from our previous blog post here. With improper footwear being one of the causes of ingrown toenails, it’s important to wear the right shoes and socks to prevent developing this painful condition. In addition, if you already do have an ingrown toenail, it’s important to be mindful of the environment you are putting your ingrown nail in before leaving the house. Choice of footwear is an important factor in not only preventing your ingrown but how it will continue to develop- for better or for worse.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at the characteristics of a good shoe for ingrown toenails:
- Enough room for toes, wide enough
- Flexible
- Soft and breathable
- Dry lining that absorbs sweat efficiently
- Cushion
- Shock absorbency
- Sturdiness
One useful tip is to look at good walking shoes to wear for your ingrown nails as they offer great shock absorbency and comfort to those who have an ingrown nail or would like to prevent developing an ingrown nail. In addition, if you already have an ingrown nail, sandals are good to wear since they allow your toes to breathe without anything constricting it or causing pressure against your toes.
If you have an ingrown toenail, contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our Podiatrists.