Ingrown Toenail

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when your nail grows into the skin instead of out and away from your toe. Usually, ingrown toenails respond to at-home treatments, like soaking your feet in warm water and regularly trimming your nails. If your toe is red, swollen, or painful, contact Advanced Care Foot and Ankle immediately.

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Inflamed skin
• Swelling

If the nail becomes infected, your toe might also ooze pus.

When should I see a podiatrist about an ingrown toenail?

Make an appointment with the team at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle if you have an ingrown toenail and it affects your ability to stand or walk. That’s especially true if you have an underlying medical condition, like diabetes, that affects your circulation, increasing your risk of infection or gangrene.

Who is at risk of experiencing an ingrown toenail?

Anyone can experience an ingrown toenail, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Sweating heavily
• Being a teenager or a young adult
• Wearing shoes that squeeze your toes
• Participating in activities that put your toes at risk of injury
• Having very curved nails

You’re also more likely to experience an ingrown toenail if you clip your nails at an angle instead of straight across.

How is an ingrown toenail diagnosed?

At Advanced Care Foot and Ankle, the team diagnoses ingrown toenails during an in-office visit.

First, your provider asks about your symptoms. Then, they examine your toes and toenails, looking for redness, swelling, or inflammation. Most ingrown toenails are visible to the eye, but your provider might also order X-rays to determine how far the nail grows into your skin.

How is an ingrown toenail treated?

Treatment of an ingrown toenail depends on several factors, including how far the nail grows into your skin and the severity of your symptoms. The Advanced Care Foot and Ankle team might recommend:

Lifting the nail

To lift the nail, your provider places a piece of cotton or a splint beneath it. That allows your nail to grow out and away from your toe.

Taping the nail

During taping, your provider uses medical tape to pull your skin away from the ingrown nail. 

Partially removing the nail

If you have an infected nail, your provider might recommend partially removing it. To do that, they numb your toe with a local anesthetic and use special tools to remove the ingrown portion of the nail. 

Completely removing the nail

If you regularly experience ingrown nails on the same toe, your provider might recommend removing the nail completely. The procedure occurs under local anesthesia, ensuring a comfortable and pain-free experience.

To learn more about the treatment options for an ingrown toenail, make an appointment at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle by calling the nearest office or booking online today.