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The feeling of sand between your toes or the cool green grass of a warm summer day can be quickly taken away if you have an ingrown toenail. The most common toenail disorder is ingrown toenails, in which the side of the toenail grows painfully into the adjacent soft tissue, leading to irritation, redness, swelling, and even infection. Toenails typically grow straight out, but sometimes one or both corners can curve inward and grow into your skin. Your big toe is most susceptible to ingrown toenails, but other toenails may be affected as well. By taking extra precautions and properly taking care of your feet, you can enjoy summer without having to hide your feet. The Basics of an Ingrown Toenail An ingrown toenail, also known as onychocryptosis, is a painful condition of the toe. It occurs when a sharp corner of the toenail digs into the skin at the end of or side of the toe. Initial symptoms are tenderness to touch, pain with shoes, swelling, redness, increased warmth to touch, and drainage or pus from the toe. Your podiatrist can take steps to relieve your discomfort and help you avoid complications of an ingrown toenail. If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor circulation to your feet, you are at a greater risk of developing complications from an ingrown toenail. Always visit your podiatrist for treatment if you are diabetic and experience any foot problems. Ingrown toenails can be caused by: • Improperly trimmed nails
• Heredity
• Shoe irritation
• Repeated trauma to the feet from normal activities
Treatment and Preventative Measures Ingrown toenails may improve with simple home remedies, such as soaking your foot regularly in warm water, applying an antibiotic cream, and wearing wider shoes. If pain continues or there is pus or redness that seems to be spreading, see your podiatrist for further treatment. You may need to have part of the nail removed and antibiotics prescribed for the infection. Ingrown toenail treatment often includes removing just the portion of toenail that is causing pain and/or infection. Under extreme circumstances, the entire nail plate may need to be removed. Your podiatrist may also recommend using topical or oral antibiotics for ingrown toenail treatment, especially if the toe is infected or at risk of becoming infected. To remain on the right track with foot health, there are some simple precautions you may take to prevent painful ingrown toenails. Following these preventions may keep your feet happy and healthy. Painful ingrown toenails can be avoided by: • Trimming toenails straight across with no rounded corners.
• Ensuring socks and shoes are not too tight.
• Keeping feet clean at all times. Persistent ingrown toenails will require a trip to the podiatrist in order to alleviate the pain, infection and other symptoms. When meeting with your Ridgeland podiatrist, they can help diagnose, treat and prevent ingrown toenails. It is important to contact your Ridgeland podiatrist at the first onset of any painful infection to prevent any further spreading.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Rose Sotolongo, leading podiatrist in Ridgeland. Dr. Sotolongo has been practicing in Mississippi for 16 years and specializes in custom molded orthotics and braces for your foot and ankle needs. Patients, who are looking for quality foot and ankle health care, including corns in Ridgeland, turn to Dr. Sotolongo and her team of professionals for all of their needs.
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