It’s not just you – ingrown toenails are highly common in winter due to restrictive winter boots, thick socks, and moisture trapping. Cold-weather footwear often squashes the toes, driving the nail edge into the skin. Symptoms like swelling, redness, and pain should be managed immediately to prevent dangerous infections, especially if circulation is reduced. We’ve seen an increase this week in patients presenting with ingrown toenails, so we are diving into… why?!
Why They Flare Up in Winter
- Tight Footwear: Heavy, enclosed boots often feature a narrow toe box that compresses your toes and pushes the nail into the flesh.
- Thick Socks: Multiple pairs or thick winter socks take up vital space in your shoes, restricting movement and constricting the toes.
- Sweat & Moisture: Warm, poorly ventilated shoes create a sweaty environment that softens the skin, making it much easier for the nail to pierce.
- Neglected Foot Care: It is easy to slack on foot hygiene during winter since your feet are tucked away out of sight.
Home Care & Prevention Tips
- Trim Correctly: Always cut your toenails straight across. Do not round the corners or trim them too short, as this encourages the nail to dig into the skin as it grows.
- Relieve the Pressure: Switch out heavy, constrictive boots for breathable footwear when you are indoors, and ensure your winter boots allow you to easily wiggle your toes.
- Wear Wicking Socks: Avoid heavy cotton that traps dampness. Instead, opt for thin, moisture-wicking materials.
- Foot Soaks: Soak your feet in lukewarm water with Epsom salt for 15 minutes a few times a day to reduce swelling and soften the skin around the nail.
- Gentle Lift: You can carefully place a tiny piece of rolled-up cotton under the corner of the nail to lift it away from the skin, but do not force it. We recommend getting a Podiatrist to do this.
When to See a Doctor
If you notice pus, excessive redness, a foul odor, or if the pain is severe and radiating, you may have an infection. Your GP can diagnose antibiotics to fight the infection. Once the infection and antibiotic treatment have resolved, you can see a Podiatrist to have the ingrown toenail fixed. Diabetics or those with nerve damage or poor circulation should never attempt home surgery and should see a Podiatrist immediately.
How a Podiatrist Can Help
- Professional Conservative Care: A Podiatrist can safely trim and remove the offending nail spike using sterile instruments, providing instant pain relief without the risk of infection from “bathroom surgery.”
- Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA): This is a minor, in-clinic procedure performed under local anaesthetic. The Podiatrist removes the narrow edge of the nail that is digging into your skin. During a PNA, the Podiatrist can apply a chemical called phenol to the nail root. This permanently stops that specific edge from growing back, solving chronic issues.
- Infection Management: If your toe is infected, a Podiatrist can properly clean the wound, remove the irritating nail edge, and coordinate with a GP if prescription antibiotics are required.
- Custom Orthotics and Advice: They can assess your gait and footwear, providing tailored advice on winter boots or custom inserts to redistribute pressure away from your toes. Sometimes its your footwear that’s the issue. In winter we are wearing tighter enclosed shoes.
Struggling with ingrown toenails this winter? Come and see our experienced Podiatrists in Thornbury for ingrown toenail treatment. Book online or call 9480 4935!