Introduction: The Mystery of Toenail Pain
We’ve all been there—your toe hurts when you walk, but when you check for an ingrown nail, everything looks fine. What could be the issue?
Pain near the side of the toenail isn’t always caused by ingrown toenails, a foot condition where the nail grows into the skin. There are several reasons why your toe feels this way, but the good news is, you can always find relief with the right treatment and an experienced podiatrist.
If foot pain is affecting your daily activities, Foot Specialists of Birmingham is here to provide the expert care you need.
Foot Care Routine to Prevent Toenail Pain
Choose Proper-Fitting Shoes
Narrow or tight-fitting shoes squeeze your toenails, causing poor circulation and restricted movement. When you’re ready for a new pair, ask a shoe store associate to measure your foot instead of relying on old measurements. It’s not uncommon for ligaments and tissues to stretch with age, changing your foot shape and size.
Besides heel-to-toe length and width, measure your arch length (from the ball of the foot to your heel). If the shoe bends before or after your big toe joint, it doesn’t match your arch length and could strain your feet, knees, back, and hips. The toebox should also have enough wiggle room to prevent the toes from rubbing against the shoe and leaving sores.
You can walk around the shop in both shoes to gauge your comfort level—go for a wider size if the shoes pinch or compress your toes. Similarly, check the inside of the shoes for any tags or seams that can cause irritation. Note that shoes should feel immediately comfortable instead of having to wait to break them in.
Another tip is wearing the right shoes for every activity. Whether you’re going to work, running, playing soccer, hiking, or cross-training, ensure the shoe offers the necessary grip, cushioning, support, and flexibility for your specific activity.
You should also avoid high heels that put extra pressure on your toes and toenails. Consider lower heels, at most 1.5 inches, or wear flat shoes for better foot alignment.
Don’t forget to wear proper-fitting socks. When socks are too loose, they bunch up and push your toes to the front of your shoes. When they are too tight or short, they restrict toe movement and cause pain and numbness. Also, choose moisture-wicking fabric to prevent sweaty feet, blisters, and infections.
Moisturize and Strengthen
Establish a toe care routine just as you would for your skin or hair. The following tips will help you prevent toe pain and maintain your overall foot health:
Wash, Dry, and Moisturize Your Feet
Apart from preventing odor and improving circulation, washing your feet lowers the risk of athlete’s foot and other painful infections.
Wash your feet with warm water and soap, making sure to clean your toenails and the area between your toes. You can also use a foot scrubber, pumice stone, or washcloth to remove dead skin.
While moisturizing your nail bed and cuticles with lotion, petroleum jelly, or cream can protect them from cracking and splitting, the spaces between your toes should remain dry to prevent infections.
Trim Your Toenails
In addition to wearing shoes comfortably, regular trimming ensures your nail grows correctly and prevents them from forming sharp edges and growing into the skin. It’s also an opportunity to identify issues such as toenail fungus and signs of injury. Here are the dos and don’ts of toenail trimming.
Do
- Cut according to the toenail’s natural shape
- Cut nails straight across
- Smooth out uneven edges with a nail file or emery board
- Cut thick nails after a shower when they’re softer
Don’t
- Cut them too short
- Use fingernail clippers
- Use blunt or dirty clippers
- Pick your toenails
- Cut into the cuticles
Avoid Toenail Trauma
Although accidents are inevitable, you can reduce the risk of toenail trauma by:
- Being mindful of kicking motions during sports or workouts
- Wearing closed-toe shoes if you’re prone to stubbing your toes
- Not trimming toenails too short to avoid exposing the sensitive nail bed
- Avoiding tight shoes that press against your toes
- Watching your feet during heavy-lifting activities
- Not walking barefoot in high-risk areas such as rocky ground or forests with fallen twigs
- Replacing worn-out shoes for maximum toe protection
- Wearing padded socks and toe guards
- Cushioning your toes with toe caps
Monitor Nail Changes
Monitoring your feet allows you to identify toenail problems and nerve damage before they become serious complications. You can also inspect your toes after participating in sports and wearing new or tight-fitting shoes. Check your toenails and the skin surrounding it for:
- Swelling
- Sharp pain around the toenail
- Bruising
- Splitting
- Tenderness
- Open wounds
- Uneven toenail growth
- Loss of sensation
- Blisters
- Abnormal discoloration, such as yellowing, paleness, black and white spots or streaks, and blue or purple hues
Even if you inspect your toenails at home, seeing a podiatrist for an annual check-up will identify underlying issues that aren’t immediately noticeable.
When to See a Podiatrist
Although home remedies can work wonders, your toenails need medical attention if you experience:
- Severe pain or swelling that won’t go away
- Toe numbness or weakness
- Bleeding, pus, and redness
- A loose toenail
- Pain that hinders you from walking or wearing shoes
- You have diabetes or any other condition that affects the recovery of toenail wounds
At Foot Specialists of Birmingham, we specialize in diagnosing and treating foot conditions to get you walking comfortably again. Contact us to get the help you need.
