Ingrown toenails are an ailment that affects a lot of people, especially athletes. The increased pressure on the foot from running, jumping, and doing other physical activities can make the risk of ingrown toenails higher. While most sports increase the risk of an ingrown toenail forming, some are more dangerous than others. Soccer is one sport that causes special risk of ingrown toenails.
Ingrown toenails form when the skin of the toe itself is pressed against the corner of the nail. When this happens repeatedly or with a lot of pressure, the toenail will start to grow into the nail. This pressure on the skin of the toe often happens because of the shoes, as the material of the shoes presses up against the toe. Sports increase the amount of contact between the toe and the shoe because the foot is moving around more inside of the shoe. Soccer causes an increased risk of ingrown toenails because the foot is moving around inside of the shoe while running. Other sports also do this, but soccer is especially risky because of the contact the foot has with the ball. This contact, when repeated over time, increases the amount of pressure put onto the foot and can make soccer players prone to ingrown toenails.
If you are a soccer player, be sure to wear athletic shoes that don’t compress your toes at all. Additionally, make sure to not hit the ball with your toes (which is a good idea for the sport anyways). If you develop an ingrown toenail, you should stop playing soccer and see a podiatrist for treatment immediately. They will be able to diagnose your condition and provide safe, effective treatment. To schedule your consultation with a podiatrist, give us a call at (424)-299-4627 or visit our website for more information.