Teens toenail help

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Help! My 14 year old has just came to me complaining her big toes hurt. Had a look and she’s only gone and cut the nails VERY short. She does ballet/pointe and says they had been digging in 😞 I’ve always told her not to ever cut them too short, from past experience of having in-grown toenail surgery myself when I was young! The corners of her skin are red where they were digging in, I’ve put on some antiseptic cream. Is there anything else I can do? So worried now they’re going to come back ingrown.

I would take her to a chiropodist/podiatrist and get a professional opinion and ask them to explain to her how to care for her feet properly. Not that I am an expert, but my DD did a lot of dance at drama school and there was huge emphasis on foot care and maintenance (as well as diet, general exercise, vitamins, sleep hygiene etc). Does her ballet teacher not cover this?

See how the redness/pain goes, but I too would suggest a podiatrist.

Get her to soak her feet in salty warm water for 10-15 mins twice a day.

It is likely that her pointe shoes don't fit properly, and her feet are sinking into the box. How often does she wear them, and for how long?