What are ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of a nail grow into the surrounding skin, rather than over it. This can cause pain, swelling, tenderness, and redness around the affected nail. In some cases, the area can also become infected, leading to bleeding, oozing, and fever.

What causes ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails are often caused by improperly trimming the toenails or wearing shoes that are too tight and narrow in the toe area. Past toe injuries and genetic factors can also make an ingrown toenail more likely to occur.

What are the treatments for ingrown toenails?

Treatments for ingrown toenails vary based on the severity of the condition. At home, you may be able to relieve pain and pressure from an ingrown toenail by soaking the affected toe in soapy water and then tucking a small piece of cotton under the edge of the ingrown toenail to encourage it to grow out. Using an antibiotic ointment on the nail can help reduce the risk of infection. It can also help to take over the counter anti-inflammatory medications and wear wide, comfortable shoes to reduce pain and pressure on the nail. At the doctor’s office, your podiatrist may be able to remove the ingrown part of the nail and give suggestions on how to prevent ingrown toenails in the future.

How can ingrown toenails be prevented?

There are several steps that you can take to prevent ingrown toenails. First, it is important to trim the toenails properly. Use a toenail clipper to trim each nail straight across. Avoid rounding the edges with clippers, nail scissors, or a nail file, as rounded toenail edges are more likely to grow into the surrounding skin. Trim your nails so that there is about 1 to 2 millimeters left at the end of the toenail. Cutting your toenails too short could also increase the risk of ingrown nails. Another thing that you can do is wear shoes that have a wide, comfortable toe area. This stops toenails from squishing against each other and the shoes.

Ingrown Toenails Treatment | Podiatrist, Foot Doctor Rockwall, Greenville, Dallas, Sachse, and Lewisville, TX

A toenail is considered ingrown when the edges of the toenail grow into the skin next to it. Most ingrown toenails occur in the big toe.
Ingrown toenails can occur in men and women of all ages, although they are considered most common in older adults since nails thicken as we age and it can be difficult for seniors to trim their toenails properly.

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

Improper toenail trimming is the leading cause of ingrown toenails among any age group. It is important to trim the toenails straight across, not rounded, and not too short, which can encourage the nail to grow into the skin rather than over it.

Other causes including:
● Genetics
● Irregular toenails that are naturally curved
● Toenail injuries
● Shoes, socks, or stockings that are too tight or narrow and put pressure on the toes.
● Sports and other physical activities that involve repeated kicking, or that consistently apply pressure on the feet and toes.

Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails in the early stages can be painful, causing the surrounding skin to be swollen, hard, red, and tender. There may even be fluid that collects around the affected toe.
If an ingrown toenail goes untreated, it may become infected and lead to more serious symptoms such as:
● More intense pain, redness, and swelling
● Bleeding
● Oozing pus
● Odor
● Skin that becomes overgrown surrounding the toe
● Warmth around the affected toe

Treatment Options for Ingrown Toenails

A minor ingrown toenail may heal by itself. However, if it is very painful, infected, or if you have diabetes or any circulatory disorder, a podiatrist should be consulted. A podiatrist may use a variety of techniques to ease pain and swelling, cure any infection with prescription medications, and to bring the nail back to a normal growth pattern.
Treatments will vary, depending on the severity of the condition, any underlying conditions the patient may have, and whether there is an infection.
Lifting the nail. Slightly ingrown nails can be gently lifted off the nail bed to relieve pressure, with a piece of cotton or splint to keep the nail in position and guide it as it regrows.
● Partial removal of the nail. If the condition is more advanced and there is pus, intense pain, or redness, the podiatrist may suggest removing the part of the nail that has become ingrown.
● Full removal of nail and surround tissue. If the condition becomes chronic, the podiatrist may recommend removing the faulty nail and underlying tissue.

If you have a painful ingrown toenail that has not quickly healed on its own or if you have diabetes or a circulatory issue, get the nail treated professionally by a podiatrist.