The best treatment is prevention, and when it comes to ingrown or incurvated toenails, preventing them will save you time, money, and pain. There are a few self-care tips that will help prevent them from occurring, but wearing well-fitting footwear is one of the best ways to make sure your feet stay healthy. Our podiatrist, Dr. E from Best Foot Doctor of New York City (NYC), has some recommendations for finding shoes that help prevent ingrown toenails. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please call our offices to schedule an appointment.
How Do Shoes Cause Ingrown Toenails?
Feet that are stuck inside shoes for 8-10 hours a day can end up suffering from all kinds of foot conditions. Any bacteria that is present in this moist, heated environment can grow quickly, infecting any open cuts or wounds.
There are three main issues that we see with shoes that can cause or aggravate an ingrown toenail.
- Shoes that are too loose can allow the foot inside the shoes to slide back and forth, putting pressure on the toenails. This can cause breakage and push the nail into the skin.
- Shoes that are too tight do not allow toes enough room to breathe and move, pushing toenails under or into the skin and causing ingrown toenails.
- Shoes with a narrow toe box cramp the toes and can aggravate or cause incurvated or ingrown toenails.
Read more in our blog: How Can I Manage Ingrown Toenails? Expert Insights From NYC Foot Care Professionals
The Best Shoes for Preventing Ingrown Toenails
The best shoes you can wear to prevent ingrown toenails are lightweight athletic shoes. These shoes generally have a wide toe box with plenty of room for your toes to move and breathe, as well as being made of lightweight material that allows for airflow.
If you are not always able to wear athletic shoes, choosing your shoes wisely can help. Take care to replace shoes that are worn out and too loose or ones that are too tight. If you must walk for long distances or be on your feet, avoid high heels and shoes with a narrow toe box.
Children are especially at risk for ingrown toenails because they tend to grow so quickly that their shoes are often too small before they are worn out. This can be especially true with dress shoes and more expensive shoes. They are also often found wearing shoes that are too big for them, which can also cause foot issues.
No matter what shoes you wear throughout the day, going barefoot and allowing your feet to breathe when you can is important to keep them healthy.
How to Find A Foot Doctor in New York City (NYC)
If you need your feet measured for shoes or would like specific recommendations for your situation, we would be happy to help. Our staff specializes in caring for ingrown toenails and helping people understand how to keep their feet healthy. Our offices in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn are open and ready to take your call. Give us a call today to make an appointment.