Ingrown toenails can be extremely painful and can become infected if left untreated. As the nail pushes inside the skin deeper, it can cut the skin, leading to swelling and bleeding and making it difficult to wear shoes. 
At Joseph Stuto, DPM, our experts suggest that you adopt these four simple measures to avoid ingrown toenails:
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Proper cutting of nails: It is important that you cut your nails straight so that they do not grow inwards if curved. Also, cut them frequently and keep them short, especially if your nails have the tendency to be curved or bent.
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Safeguard your feet and toenails: Bumping into objects or accidentally dropping heavy substances on your feet can result in injuries that can lead to inward growth of your toenails. Keep your feet safe and inspect any cuts or wounds that may appear on them in case of an accident. Seek professional help right away if you feel that healing is slow or inadequate,
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Wear the right footwear: The right size of shoes and comfortable structure are important to protect your feet from ingrown toenails. Tight-fitted shoes that crowd your toes into each other, or, constantly hit your big toe against the inner walls are disastrous for your toenails.
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Visit your podiatrist: Get your feet examined by your foot doctor regularly, so that any issues can be identified and caught in the early stages. This will save you from unnecessary pain and misery.
If you notice any tenderness, redness, swelling, discomfort or pain in the skin surrounding your toenails, schedule your appointment with our foot and ankle care specialists right away.
Our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Joseph Stuto is highly-experienced in treating a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions including bone and joint pain, Achilles tendonitis, sprains, and stress fractures, diabetic neuropathy, fungal infections and more. Contact us to schedule an appointment today or visit our offices located in Brooklyn Heights (718) 624-7537 and Brooklyn (718) 567-1403 at your convenience. To keep you informed and equipped in making better decisions regarding your foot health, visit our extensive patient library and blogs section.