What is an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenails occur when your toenail grows into the side of your toe rather than straight outward. You can usually see that the edge of your nail is buried in the skin at the edge of your nail plate.
How can I tell if I have an ingrown toenail?
Ingrown toenails are usually painful. Your body reacts to the toenail as if it were a foreign body and initiates an inflammatory response.
If you notice symptoms of infection, you should contact Dr. Sands immediately. You may have infected toe if you notice:
- Reddened skin
- Swelling
- Pus
- Foul smell
What causes ingrown toenails?
The most common cause of ingrown toenails is footwear that’s too tight and cramps your toes. Other causes may include:
- Cutting your toenail too short
- Cutting your toenail on a curve, rather than straight
- Trauma
- Congenital deformities
- Medical conditions such as retronychia or pincer nail
- Excessive foot sweating that softens the nail
- Obesity
- Hard toenails
When should a podiatrist treat an ingrown toenail?
If your ingrown toenail is infected or painful, you should contact Dr. Sands for immediate treatment. Untreated ingrown toenail infections are serious. They can even spread to your bones.
You should also call Dr. Sands if you notice an ingrown toenail and have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or any other nerve-related condition. Even a non-symptomatic ingrown toenail could lead to severe complications in these cases.
How do podiatrists treat ingrown toenails?
If your toe is infected, Dr. Sands first clears the infection with topical antibiotics or silver nitrate. He may inject a local anesthetic and then move or cut away the portion of your nail that grew into your skin. He may also place a splint underneath the nail or tape it to another toe so that it grows properly.
Surgery is rarely needed. Even after surgery, you can walk and go about your normal routine after just two days of recovery.
Don’t let an ingrown toenail become infected or develop complications. Contact Dr. Sands for treatment by phoning his friendly staff or using the online booking form.
