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One of the conveniences that were robbed from us by the COVID-19 pandemic is being able to go to a salon to have our nails done. While many do so to keep their nails looking pretty, getting a manicure or pedicure is actually an important part of our hygiene and also a great way to get rid of pesky ingrown toenails.

You've probably experienced it at least once in your life when you did your own pedicure or trimmed your toenails.

It starts out as a nagging pain on the side of your toe then it slowly becomes unbearable and unsightly, and can sometimes even lead to an infection.

Ingrown toenails develop when the nail plate or the nails themselves grow inwards to your skin instead of outwards, causing great stabbing pain on your toes.

It can also significantly affect your daily activities and hinder you from being productive.

And since we're still going through a pandemic, not all salons are operational. So, you might have a hard time getting rid of ingrown toenails, in the event that you develop one.

So, to avoid this hassle, it's crucial to keep your toes ingrown-free as much as possible.

In an episode of Pinoy MD, resident dermatologist Dr. Jean Marquez discussed the causes of ingrown toenails and shared some tips on how to prevent it and what you should do if ever you get one.

Causes

Dr. Marquez says the leading cause of ingrown is trauma to the toes, which happens when one frequently wears closed shoes that too tight. This can cause trauma to your hallux or big toe and your pinky.

Another cause of ingrown toenails is cutting your nails too short on the edges.

Dr. Jean explained, “'Pag masyado mong sinasadsad 'yung pag-gupit ng iyong kuko, maaari itong--halimbawa, 'yung sa gilid, sa tagiliran, imbes na diretso lang, ang ginagawa mo ay masyado mong sinasagd 'yung dun sa gilid.

“Maaaring ang manryari, 'pag ito'y tumubo ay 'yung mga nail plates na 'yun ay tutubo papaloob dun sa laman.

She also warned about removing cuticles, as too much of it can cause the skin around the nail to form a callus or thickened, hardened skin. These calluses often cause the nail plates to get stuck, which will then cause them to become ingrown nails.

Below are some tips on how to prevent ingrown toenails:
1. Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow.
2. Soak your toenails before doing your pedicure, so they'll be soft and easy to trim.
3. Wear stockings or socks to prevent direct trauma to your nails and skin.

And when you already have ingrown toenails, here's what you should do:
1. Take a pain reliever to ease the pain and swelling.
2. If you don't know how to remove the ingrown toenails, don't try to do it yourself. It's best to have a nail expert remove it for you to prevent possible infection.
3. In extreme cases when surgery is needed, you would have to go to a dermatologist or surgeon to have it removed.

For more features like this, watch Pinoy MD every Saturday, 6:00 a.m. on GMA-7.

And for more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

Check out also some gorgeous and creative Christmas-themed nail art ideas.