Ingrown Toenails Specialist

What are ingrown toenails?

An ingrown toenail is a common condition that occurs when the corner of your toenail grows into the surrounding skin. It usually affects your big toe. 

Anybody can develop an ingrown toenail, but it’s more likely to occur if you have:

• An infection near your toenail
• Diabetes
• Poor blood circulation
• Foot or leg nerve damage
• Curved toenails
• Toenail injuries
• Toenails that are too short
• Shoes that crowd your toes

Ingrown toenails don’t usually pose a serious health risk, but they’re often painful and might prevent you from being as physically active as you’d like.

What are the symptoms of ingrown toenails?

If you experience the signs or symptoms below, you might have an ingrown toenail:

• Toe swelling near the nail
• Tenderness or pain in your toe
• Redness around the toenail
• Pus near your toenail
• A warm or hot feeling in your toe

If discomfort from an ingrown toenail doesn’t go away on its own, the experienced team of podiatrists at Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists evaluates your toe and discusses treatment options with you.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

The board-certified podiatrists at Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists might recommend one of the following ingrown toenail treatments:

At-home care

Sometimes, proper at-home care allows ingrown toenails to heal without surgery. Try soaking your foot 3-4 times daily in warm water, keeping your foot dry, wearing comfortable shoes, and using antibiotic creams. Take pain relievers as needed to ease discomfort while your nail heals.

Surgical options

If you’ve tried home care remedies without success, your podiatrist might perform minor surgery to remove all or a portion of the ingrown nail. They inject an anesthetic into your toe to make the procedure comfortable right in the office. Your toenail eventually regrows after about 3-4 months.

How can I reduce my risk of ingrown toenails?

You can’t always prevent ingrown toenails from developing, but you can greatly reduce your risk by:

• Keeping your toenails at a moderate length
• Trimming toenails straight across
• Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting shoes

Don’t let ingrown toenail pain reduce your quality of life when simple treatment options are within reach. Call Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists to book an appointment or schedule one online today.