Tackling Ingrown Toenails:
The Podiatrist’s Perspective

By: Amber Edwards

When you hear the term word “ingrown toenail” do you immediately think of pain? Most pedicurists tend to avoid working on ingrown toenails because they’re not confident that they know the proper procedures for trimming or shaping. They often wonder, “Should you round the nails or square them? Angle them or leave them alone? Can I, as a pedicurist, help keep ingrowns under control with only a monthly pedicure visit?”

I found the answers to these questions and more by teaming up with Dr Marlene Reid, a Chicago area podiatrist seen on Oprah, ABC News and other Chicago news programs. Together, Dr. Marlene Reid and I are reaching our goal of educating pedicurists, one issue at a time. Below is our conversation on ingrown toenails:

Amber: Should a pedicurist try to cut ingrown toenails?

Dr. Reid: A recurring ingrown toenail occurs when the nail wants to curve inward. If the client relates that they are experiencing pain and the nail plate seems to be curving inward, as long as it is not infected , instead of cutting the nail straight across, it should be rounded, cutting the portion of the nail that is digging into the skin and causing the pain. If the client has a recurring problem, that’s when they need to be referred to a podiatrist. Occasional ingrown nails are usually caused by a nail spicule left in the corner when the nail was last cut.

Amber: Is soaking the feet first to soften the nails soft a good or bad idea?

Dr. Reid: Soaking is a personal preference. I don’t like cutting toe nails moist. I like them to be dry.

Amber: Can you share with our readers the signs of infection?

Dr. Reid: Swelling, which can occur on one whole side of the toe, or it just seems puffy where the ingrown toe nail curves in. Any redness or drainage is a strong indication. If you see signs of infection, it should be cleared up before a pedicure. The first thing a client can try at home is soaking their foot twice a day in warm water for twenty minutes and then applying a topical antibiotic cream or solution.

Amber: Any advice for the pedicurist to pass onto their clients about preventing ingrown toenails?

Dr. Reid: Nothing a pedicurist can do will prevent a recurring ingrown nail! The cell structure is telling the nail how to grow. The only preventative measure to keep the toe free of pain is cutting the nail on an angle as it grows in. A podiatrist can remove the cell structure to permanently treat the ingrown nail. In some people, the curved portion goes all the way to the back. This would be another time you would refer them to a podiatrist for further treatment. To prevent the ingrown resulting from a spicule, be sure to cut the nail plate all the way from side to side.

Step By step directions for shellac

P - Natural Nail Prep

a. shape and smooth the extention edge of the nail with a Kanga File

b.Remove true cuticle from the nail plate with cuticle away and a cuticle pusher

c. Have the client wash there hands with liquid soap and warm water. Towel Dry

d. double check for stubborn cuticle and debris by pulling back the lateral folds (sidewalls)

of the nail with your fingers and, useing a curette,gently remove any remaining cuticle.

E - Eliminate surface contaminates by scrubbing the nail with scrubfresh and a lint- free pad.

P- purify nail plate layers with scrubfresh, which will remove oil and debrisfrom the nail plate

Note: it is not necessary to remove shine from the natural nail plate with a file or buffer

SHELLAC UV BASE COAT APPLICATION

1. Shake the bottle to blend.

2. Apply a thin layer to each nail surface and extension edgeof all 5 nails on one hand.

a. Remove the applicator brush from the bottle and wipe it against the bottles neckto drain excess product from the brush.

b. Stay parrallel to the natural nail and place the brush in the center of the nail slightlyaway from the cuticle line.

c. Gently push the brush towards the cuticle line and then glide down theone side tothe extension edge of the nail.

d.Lift the brush and repeat on the opposite side of the nail, the same steps to coat the center.

e. Be sure to encase the extension edge sealing the free egde will help wearability.

3. Cure all 5 fingers together for ten seconds in the CND UV Lamp or a 36 watt lamp

4 repeat on other hand

SHALLAC UV COLOR APPLICATION

Solid color

1. Shake the bottle

2. Apply a very thin coat to each nail making sur to cap the free edge(this layer will be slightly transparent)

3.Follow steps 1-2 of base coat application

4 Cure for 2min

5. Repeat on second hand

6.apply a second thin coat

7. apply a second thin coat to second hand

cure second coats for 2 min

Top Coat Application

1.Shake Bottle

2.Follow same application steps as base coat

3.Cure for 2 minutes

4.Remove sticky film with a no lint wipe and 99%IPA or Isopropyl Alcohol

5.Apply solar oil