Ingrown toenails are rarely serious, but they can be painful and uncomfortable for children as much as adults. While treatment is usually simple, some children may find it difficult to let you know when they’re in pain, so it’s important to keep a close eye on your little one’s foot health from day to day.
Fortunately, ingrown toenails aren’t inevitable, and there are things you can do to help prevent your children developing ingrown nails. Learning what can cause them is the first step.
An ingrown toenail develops when the nail of the toe grows into the soft skin surrounding it, usually at the sides or corners. This growth leads the nail to cut into the skin and can cause pain and swelling in the affected area - which can lead to an infection if left unchecked.
There are a variety of reasons why the nail can grow inwards like this, and sometimes a combination can be to blame. Below, we explain the most frequent causes of an ingrown toenail and what to do to prevent your child from getting one.
Shoes that are too tight across the toe box, squeezing the toes together in an unnatural, cramped way can put pressure onto the nail, causing it to grow into the skin of your child’s toe. This can also cause other painful problems like rubbing and blisters.
That’s why it’s vital that children have their feet measured accurately every time you buy new shoes. A professional shoe fitter can not only identify the correct width and length measurement, but also advise on styles to fit the shape of your child’s foot. This is the best way to protect your child’s foot health and overall physical development.
Nail care habits are important to maintain healthy feet. When cutting little toenails, be sure to cut straight across and leave a little length. Cutting too short or rounding the edges will encourage the nail to grow into the skin.
If you start maintaining your child’s toenail health at an early age, it will become part of their everyday experience, setting them up for a lifetime of positive foot health management. Choosing a regular time to do it, such as after their bath, can help your little one to get into the routine with ease.
Looking after your little one’s feet is so important for a variety of reasons, and one is that poor hygiene could lead to an ingrown toenail. For example, fungal nail infections can cause the nail to thicken, making it tougher than the skin surrounding it.
Additionally, children with sweaty feet are often more susceptible due to the skin becoming softer, making it easier for the nail to cut in. Sound familiar? Look for socks made from sweat-wicking natural materials such as bamboo, and shoes that enable more air-flow, such as Start-Rite school shoes with Air-Rite technology.
Check out the Start-Rite collection of super tough school shoes for every shape of foot.
A common cause of ingrown toenails in children is simple rough and tumble - as injuries can impact the shape of the nail and cause it to grow into the skin rather than over it.
Of course, the answer isn’t to prevent your children from going out to play, but to ensure they’re protected when they do so. By making sure they’re wearing correctly fitting, protective shoes – like our toughest ever school shoes with toe bumpers - you help to reduce the risk of toe-related injuries and therefore of ingrown toenails. When little ones are playing outside or riding bikes, ensure they are always wearing closed toe shoes to protect their toes from stubbing or rubbing on rough ground.
Although some causes can be prevented, it’s also the case that some people are naturally predisposed towards getting ingrown toenails. If your child’s nails have a natural curve to them, that can make it more likely that the sides of the nails will grow into the skin, especially if other risk factors are present.
If you are prone to ingrown toenails, then your child might be as well - frequent management such as soaking the foot in warm, soapy water and gently lifting the nail from the skin can help. And if your child gets ingrown toenails repeatedly, you should speak to a medical professional about what can be done to help a persistent ingrown toenail.
Ultimately, ingrown toenails are uncomfortable but not usually serious, and there are things you can do to reduce your little one’s risk of developing one. Think your child has an ingrown toenail? Speak to a medical professional to receive personalised advice, diagnosis and treatment options.
