San Antonio is used to heat. The sun can beat down and bake this part of Texas—but eventually, even this area cools off. Nights in November can be downright chilly. This cooler weather can drive people to switch from sandals and open-toed shoes to sneakers, boots, and other closed-toed models. Closed footwear is great for protecting your toes, but sometimes it can actually create problems, like an ingrown toenail. Fortunately there are helpful tricks to prevent your nails from curving and ingrowing, even with closed shoes.

Nails curve and grow into your skin instead of straight forward for a variety of reasons. An injury, your natural nail shape, an infection, a poorly-trimmed nail, and tight shoes can all influence the way the hard keratin grows. In cooler weather, too-tight closed toe shoes are a definite concern for your nails. This problem is not inevitable, though. A few simple preventative measures can make a significant difference for your toe health and comfort. Try these tricks to protect your toes:

Proper Trimming Technique – Clip your nails straight across. Don’t curve the ends or trim the corners, since that can encourage the skin to push over the nail edge.

The Right Nail Length – Keep your toenails a medium length, so they are roughly in line with your toes. If you leave them too long or cut them too short, they are more susceptible to pressure from your shoes.

A Correct Shoe Fit – You need models with deep enough and wide enough fronts so that your toes aren’t pinched.

Keep an eye on your feet every day, too, so you can catch any nail changes and take care of them early if anything does happen. An ingrown toenail doesn’t have to be inevitable, but you should be proactive about preventing it. If you’re concerned about your nails, let Dr. Darren Silvester at Next Step Foot & Ankle Clinic in Universal City, TX, help you keep them healthy. You can reach our office for an appointment by calling (210) 375.3318.