Preventing ingrown toenails is important to avoid the pain and irritation caused by this condition. A nail is considered “ingrown” when it grows into the flesh instead of in an outward direction. To keep this from happening, make sure that your nails are not cut too short and that your shoes are not too tight-fitting. If you have diabetes you are at a higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail, so make sure you are checking your feet daily to make sure everything looks good. If you do happen to notice your nail curling down or under, get it treated as quickly as possible. They might seem insignificant, but they can lead to infection and other serious complications.Call Dr. Mitchell Watchtel at 888-616-2512 to schedule an appointment in one of our three Massachusetts offices. We can help you treat all of your podiatric conditions—from an ingrown toenail to an ankle sprain.