Pregnancy, New Mums & Ingrown Toenails
Your feet can change during pregnancy and they don’t always return to normal straight after birth.
Swelling, changes in foot size, footwear, difficulty reaching your feet and the demands of caring for a new baby can all contribute to toenail problems.
If a nail becomes painful, red or swollen, getting it checked early may prevent it becoming more difficult to manage.
During Pregnancy
Why toenail problems can develop during pregnancy:
Swollen feet Extra swelling can increase pressure around the toes and nail edges.
Feet can change in size During pregnancy, swelling and other changes can cause your feet to become wider or increase in size. For some women, changes in foot size can persist after pregnancy. Shoes that previously fitted comfortably may therefore become too tight and place additional pressure around the toes and nail edges.
Reaching your feet gets harder As pregnancy progresses, it can become more difficult to reach your feet to trim your nails. Cutting nails too short or down the sides may encourage the nail edge to grow into the surrounding skin.
Why New Mums Can Get Ingrown Toenails After birth, your feet and toenails can easily become the last thing you’re thinking about.
Your routine completely changes
With a newborn to care for, small problems like a tender toenail are easily ignored until they become much more uncomfortable.
Swelling may take time to settle
Footwear can continue to feel different after pregnancy, particularly while swelling and other pregnancy-related changes settle.
Quick nail trimming
Finding time for proper foot care isn’t always easy. Nails cut very short or down into the corners can increase the chance of an ingrown edge developing.
Changes in footwear and activity
Different shoes, more time at home and changes in walking or activity can alter the pressure around your toes.
Treatment Can Be Simple
Not every ingrown toenail needs surgery. Early treatment may involve gentle conservative care, removing pressure from the painful nail edge and providing advice to help prevent it recurring. If further treatment is required, we can discuss the options available based on your individual circumstances.
Increasing pain, redness or swelling around the nail
Please arrange an assessment if you notice:
When should I have my toe checked?
Ongoing or recurring problems
Overgrown tissue around the nail edge
Discharge or bleeding
Difficulty wearing shoes
You don’t need to wait until it becomes severely painful or infected.
And What About After Baby Arrives?
Servicing Adelaide & Surrounding Suburbs
ITTS Clinic is conveniently located within Total GP Care Norwood and welcomes patients from across Adelaide, including:
Norwood | Kensington | Marryatville | Burnside | Unley | Prospect | Payneham | Campbelltown | Magill | Adelaide CBD | Eastern Suburbs