Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of your toenail grow into the surrounding skin, leading to pain, redness, and swelling. Causes of ingrown toenails include improper nail trimming, cutting nails too short or rounding the edges, wearing tight or ill-fitting shoes, and injury to the toe. In some cases, genetics may play a role, with some people being more prone to the condition due to the natural shape of their nails. The affected area can become tender, and in some cases, you may notice drainage or an infection. Typically, this happens on the big toe but can affect any toenail. The discomfort often worsens when wearing shoes or walking, and without treatment an ingrown toenail can become more prone to infection. A podiatrist can help by properly treating the ingrown portion of the nail, providing pain relief, and offering advice on preventing future ingrown toenails. They may also suggest a permanent solution, such as a minor procedure to prevent the nail from growing into the skin again. If you are dealing with an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.
Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact James Pak, DPM of California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
Causes
- Bacterial infections
- Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
- Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
- Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
- Genetic predisposition
Prevention
Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Anaheim, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
