Ingrown Toenail

Why do I have an ingrown toenail?

In most cases, an ingrown toenail develops as a result of a trigger that causes the toenail to start growing into the soft flesh alongside your nail. The most common reason is cutting your toenails too short, and shaping them at the sides.

If you cut the sides of the nail when you trim it, the new nail growth may get diverted into the soft tissue. To prevent an ingrown toenail, you should always cut across the nail and not shape it, and don’t trim your toenails any shorter than the ends of your toes.

Regularly wearing tight shoes can also cause ingrown toenails, and they may develop if you sustain an injury that damages your toes. It’s a good idea to check your feet on a regular basis for any signs of ingrown toenails.

Can I treat an ingrown toenail myself?

If you notice the ingrown toenail in the early stages, you can try some at-home treatments. Soak your foot in warm water for about 20 minutes every four hours or so during the day to reduce pain and swelling, then put dental floss or tape under the affected nail to ease it away from the soft tissues.

Apply antibiotic cream to the affected toe and cover it with a bandage to prevent infection. Try to keep pressure off your feet as much as possible while the ingrown toenail is healing.

What should I do if home treatment isn’t working?

If the home treatments don’t seem to be helping within a few weeks, or your toe is causing you pain, book an appointment at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers for a checkup with a member of the expert podiatry team.

If you have diabetes, you’re more vulnerable to infections and diabetic complications, so you should always seek medical advice about an ingrown toenail.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

If the ingrown toenail is in the early stages, your podiatrist simply lifts the nail and separates it from the soft tissue, guiding the nail to grow in the right direction.

If the ingrown toenail is severely ingrown, your podiatrist may need to perform a minor surgical procedure to remove the affected area of the toenail.

Serious or chronically ingrown toenails may need to be removed completely, but your podiatrist makes every effort to restore your nail before taking such a step.

Don’t let your ingrown toenail get any worse and cause unnecessary suffering. Call Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers today, or book an appointment online.