Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 1/19/2012

Question
Hi!, So I have a slight ingrown toenail on my left big toe and its been very difficult to dance in Ponte shoes with it but I have special gel supports to go over my toe but they just seem to add pressure to it and I tried soaking my feet in Epsom salt but it still hurts. I was just wondering if theres any kind of remedies or creams or something like that to make it numb to relieve some of the pain?.

Answer
Hi Kayla. If you can,try to lift up the point that is hurting you and trim it or file it into a more rounded shape.

If this is difficult  or too painful you may have to see a podiatrist to do this for you. Hopefully you will get help on how to control it in the future.

I do not know of a numbing creme that will truly help you. You will dance on the toe and it is going to hurt much more later.

Try to get the podiatrist to understand that you need  to get control of this nail and that you cannot have a break in your dancing. Therefore you need to avoid excessive cutting of the nail, as sometimes they will want to do.

Be sure to check that your pointe shoes and also your street shoes are not too narrow or too tapered.

All the best, Dianne.