A message from Sarah Collington your local Podiatrist in Hove

As anyone who has ever had an ingrown toenail will tell you… they are surprisingly painful, and unfortunately runners can be very susceptible to them. Torn or lost nails can grow back unevenly with needle-like spikes hidden in the cleft at the sides of the nail, and the exposed skin is particularly vulnerable to these spikes if it gets hot and moist during training.

You can help minimise the risk of ingrown toenails by:

• Reducing pressure from shoes – check that your running shoes are long enough (remembering that your longest toe may not be your big toe!) but also that there is enough width and depth around the toes, and that they are laced well to prevent your feet slipping forwards in them, particularly on downhill stretches.
• Nailcare – ensure you cut your toenails straight across, and not too short.
• Avoid fungal infections – which can soften the skin around the toes, and also spread to toenails leading them to become misshapen and thickened. You can reduce the risk of athlete’s foot by drying carefully between your toes, and avoiding putting moisturiser or powder between your toes.

If you are suffering from painful or damaged nails, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment at Collington Podiatry with me your local podiatrist in Hove. I can remove any hidden spikes or splinters, as well as undertaking a musculoskeletal assessment to check whether there is any excessive pressure on the nail. If you are suffering repeated problems I can provide further treatment ranging from regular chiropody care to permanent reshaping of problem nails.