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If you have ever had an ingrown toenail, you know how painful it can be. Your toe can get tender, sore, and in some cases can get infected. It can be hard to wear shoes on your feet because of the pressure that is placed upon your toe. If you trim your toenails too short, particularly your big toes, you may be setting the stage for an ingrown toenail. Many people trim their toenails by tapering the corners so that the nail curves with the shape of your toe, but this technique may encourage your toenail to grow into the skin of your toe. The sides of the nail may curl down and dig into your skin. An ingrown toenail may also occur if you wear shoes that are too tight or too small. Some people are just prone or susceptible to getting ingrown toenails. At-Home Treatment Sometimes initial treatment for ingrown toenails can be safely performed at home. However, home treatment is strongly discouraged if an infection is suspected, or for those who have medical conditions that put feet at high risk, such as diabetes, nerve damage in the foot, or poor circulation. If you don't have an infection or certain medical conditions, you can soak your foot in room-temperature water, and gently massage the side of the nail fold to help reduce the inflammation. Avoid attempting "bathroom surgery." Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. If your symptoms fail to improve, it is time to see a foot and ankle surgeon. In-Office Procedure After examining your toe, your podiatrist will select the treatment that is best suited for you. If an infection is present, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed. Sometimes minor surgery can help to ease the pain and remove the offending nail. After applying a local anesthetic, the doctor removes part of the nail's side border. Signs that your toenail is infected include an increase in: • Pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth
• Tenderness If you have a reoccurring ingrown toenail, your podiatrist may use laser or chemicals to remove part of your toenail and nail bed in order to prevent the infected portion of the nail from growing back and becoming imbedded in your skin again. Prevent Ingrown Toenails When it comes to ingrown toenails, the best method is prevention. Cut your toenails straight across and leave your nails a little longer at the corners so that the sharp ends don't cut into the skin. Wear roomy shoes that fit properly, and keep your feet clean and dry. If you have diabetes or circulatory problems, have your toenails trimmed regularly by a podiatrist. Cutting your toenails properly will go a long way toward the prevention of ingrown toenails. Using a safety nail clipper, cut the nails straight across so that the nail corner is visible. If you cut the nail too short, you are inviting the nail corner to grow into the skin. It is the natural tendency, when the edge of the nail starts to grow in, to cut down at an angle at the edge, to relieve the pain. This does relieve the pain temporarily, but it also can start a downward spiral, training the nail to become more and more ingrown. Protect your feet and prevent ingrown toenails. If you suspect that you have an ingrown toenail and home treatment does not work, contact your podiatrist in Ballantyne for further treatment. In addition, if the ingrown toenail becomes more painful and infected, immediate treatment will be needed.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Scott Basinger of Ankle and Foot Center of Charlotte, a leading foot surgeon in Ballantyne, NC and Charlotte. Offering a full array of services, including heel pain, orthotics, foot pain, bunions and ingrown toenails in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Basinger is qualified to treat any disorder of the foot and ankle for patients of all ages.
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