Hot weather and closed-toe shoes can be an unpredictable duo recipe for disaster that can increase your chances of an ingrown toenail, a painful and troublesome condition. Ingrown toenails can be caused by a variety of factors, but summer is when ingrown toenails can occur more often.  

Stimulated by the heat during the summer, the thousands of sweat glands found on each of our feet end up sweating twice as much as normal, which can foster an environment of both heat and moisture that causes the skin surrounding the toenail to soften. Combined with the use of closed-toe shoes and daily tasks such as walking, your toenails become more susceptible to becoming an ingrown toenail that can end up causing you an abundance of pain and discomfort. 

This burden can best be avoided by 

  • Trimming your toenails properly (not too short, straight cut)
  • Wearing properly fitting shoes that are comfortable and roomy
  • Regular feet check-ups 

If you do end up developing an ingrown toenail, some practices you can do to relieve your pain

  • Soak your feet in warm water to get swelling down 
  • Using floss under the ingrown to elevate the nail and prompt growth to be above the skin
  • Pain relief medication (such as ibuprofen)
  • Temporarily stop wearing closed-toe shoes

If your condition persists, the next step might be a visit to a podiatrist who can lift the nail to relieve pressure on the skin, cut down the edge of the ingrown toenail, or possibly prescribe needed antibiotics. For more information or further questions, you can call us at (424) 299-4627.