Childhood Foot Concerns.. We take pride in the fact that we walk the extra mile for our pediatric patients. We employ several techniques to make the office experience, procedures, etc, as pleasant as possible, keeping discomfort to a minimum.   Ingrown Toenails in Children For many children, ingrown toenails are more than just another growing pain. The swelling and infection that often accompany an ingrown nail can cause significant discomfort. An ingrown toenail (Onychocryptosis) usually affects the great toe, when the side of the nail begins to grow down under the surrounding fold of skin. Recurring ingrown toenails cause pain and may limit a child’s participation in activities.   There are several factors that may make toenails more likely to become ingrown, including improper footwear, trauma to the nail, or even genetics. Often the problem stems from simply cutting the nail in a rounded shape at the corners, rather than straight across. However, in many children, the root of the problem lies in the structure and mechanics of the great toe itself. When the great toe has a painful or limited motion (known as Hallux Limitus), the foot must change the way it functions to make up for the problem. This can create more pressure between the first and second toes, increasing the potential for that side of the great toenail to become ingrown. In this case, treating only the ingrown nail will not be enough. A podiatrist must also address the Hallux Limitus, in order to remove the underlying cause of the ingrown toenails, so the problem does not continue to occur. By focusing on complete foot care, a podiatrist can treat both the problem and its cause. Your podiatrist may prescribe orthoses or shoe inserts, aimed at reducing the effects of Hallux Limitus. By eliminating the cause of the ingrown toenails, the podiatrist can more effectively treat them. Taking your child to see a podiatrist is the best first step to take. While home care remedies may treat the symptoms of ingrown toenails, only your podiatrist can treat the cause.

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