Ingrown Toenails: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention Strategies

Ingrown toenails are a common problem and can be very painful. They can make it difficult to put on shoes, stand, and walk. Your podiatrist can help. Dr. Gary Rogers at Wilmette Foot and Ankle Clinic in Wilmette, IL, offers a wide range of podiatry services, including diagnosing and treating ingrown toenails.

What You Need To Know About Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail is a toenail that has grown down and into your skin. Your risk of developing an ingrown toenail increases if your toes curve naturally. Ingrown toenails can be caused by:

• Toenail trauma
• Trimming your toenails too short
• Rounding the corners of your toenails when you trim them
• Wearing narrow, pointed-toe shoes that crush your toenails together

When you have an ingrown toenail, you may notice:

• Darkened or reddish-purple skin around the toenail
• Swelling and pain in your toe and under your toenail
• Drainage or pus coming from under the toenail

Home remedies can sometimes help with an ingrown toenail. You can try:

• Soaking your toe in warm water several times each day
• Placing a piece of dental floss under your toenail to lift it
• Wearing open-toed shoes or sandals until your toe heals

You should seek out the services of a podiatrist if:

• Home remedies don’t provide relief
• Your ingrown toenail is not healing
• Your symptoms are getting worse or more frequent
• Your symptoms are interfering with your mobility and quality of life

There are several effective treatment options your podiatrist may recommend, including:

• Trimming and thinning the toenail to reduce pressure
• Cutting off the ingrown part of your toenail
• Removing the toenail completely so a new toenail can grow
• Laser treatment to reshape or remove the toenail and heal your toe

Remember that you can prevent ingrown toenails by wearing wider shoes, trimming toenails straight across, and not cutting them too short.

Want To Know More About Ingrown Toenails?

To learn more about the causes, treatment, and prevention of ingrown toenails and how your podiatrist can help, call Dr. Gary Rogers at Wilmette Foot and Ankle Clinic in Wilmette, IL. You can reach him in the office by calling (847) 256-4434, so call today.