What is an ingrown toenail?
When the corner or side of a toenail grows into the skin and soft flesh of your toe, it’s referred to as an ingrown toenail. The edge of the nail can cut through your skin and cause pain, inflammation, redness, swelling, and pus drainage.
An ingrown toenail is a common podiatric condition that usually develops on the big toe. Many ingrown toenails can disappear on their own, but more serious cases can lead to an infection and require a minor surgical procedure to correct.
Men and women with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, tend to have poor blood flow to the feet and have an increased risk of complications from ingrown toenails.
What causes ingrown toenails?
Certain factors can contribute to the development of ingrown toenails, including:
- Poor posture
- Poor hygiene
- Toenail injury
- Shoes that don’t fit properly
- Toenails that are unusually shaped or curved
- An oversized nail-bed with edges that push into the skin
It’s important to file and cut your nails properly since you can also get an ingrown toenail by cutting your toenails too short or not cutting them straight across.
What are the treatments for an ingrown toenail?
At home, you can care for your ingrown toenail by:
- Softening your nail edges by trimming and filing your nails properly
- Placing padding or bandages around your ingrown toenail for comfort and protection
- Using disinfectant soaps and taking over-the-counter antibiotic creams to combat infection
- Soaking your feet in warm water for 20 minutes twice a day to reduce swelling and tenderness
At Associated Podiatrists, P.C., your doctor performs a physical exam to evaluate your symptoms, the nail, and the surrounding skin. They may also perform an X-ray.
Treatments for an ingrown toenail include:
- Prescription antibiotic medication
- Orthotic devices, such as separators
- Anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications
Your podiatrist can clip the corner of your toenail for temporary relief without anesthesia. For a toenail that’s slightly ingrown, they can lift the nail edge and place cotton, a splint, or other material to separate the nail from the skin and prompt the nail to grow above the edge of your skin.
For ingrown toenails that are more severe and keep recurring, your podiatrist may suggest removing a portion of the underlying tissue and nail in a procedure that typically requires an anesthetic injection. In many cases, a chemical or acid is applied to the nail root.
If you have an ingrown toenail, call Associated Podiatrists, P.C. or book an appointment online today.
