An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin. Ingrown toenails can be painful, and when they become severe, they may require surgery to remove it. Surgery may be necessary if the ingrown toenail becomes infected, is extremely painful, or if you have a medical condition that can lead to complications, such as diabetes, nerve damage, or poor circulation in your feet. During an ingrown nail surgery, part or all of the affected nail is removed. This is typically done under local anesthesia, so you will not feel pain in the affected toe during the procedure. If you have an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist to discuss treatment options that are right for you. 

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Podiatry Associates of Texas. Our doctors 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 offices located in Arlington and Weatherford, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.