An ingrown toenail could be the reason you feel that weird discomfort when you wear those closed shoes. And for all you know, that closed shoe could be worsening your ingrown toenail condition further. Recognize the problem before it gets serious and treat and control it before you feel much pain.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail of a toe, especially of the big toe is growing or has grown into the skin under the nail.

There are a few causes of ingrown nails. Improper trimming is one of the most common reasons for ingrown nails. When you trim your toenails too short or when you shape them round, you give way for ingrowth.

Wearing tight socks or shoes can lead to the same problem. This happens because the pressure of those tight socks and/or shoes on the toes causes the growth in the inward direction leading to ingrown toenails.

Injuries also cause ingrown toe nails. Sudden external pressure because of an injury can cause the nail to pierce into the skin causing this problem. In this situation, it is advised to see a doctor or a podiatrist.

There are also some heredity and fungal infection that cause this problem. A podiatrist can help with the treatment in this case.

Other treatments that you can give yourself include cutting off ingrowth with a nail cutter after soaking your feet in warm salt water for at least 1015 minutes. Also, soaking your feet in warm salt water for few days after the removal will help prevent further ingrowth. Other than soaking, keep your feet clean and dry at all times.

You can stuff a tiny cotton ball under the ingrown nail to stop it from going further into your skin. If you see any soreness or redness in the skin, put an antibiotic ointment or band-aid to protect it from outer infection.

The best way to prevent an ingrown toenail is to take proper care of your feet always. Wear well fitted shoes and socks and clean your feet on a regular basis. If you see things going beyond your control, visit a podiatrist.