What is an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the side of a toenail grows in to the toe's skin. Ingrown toenails are often associated with foot pain.
Ingrown toenails can develop to more serious health problems. If pus develops from an ingrown toenail, it's important to see a doctor. Ingrown toenails can also result in infections, with diabetic patients being at an increased risk of infection from ingrown toenails.
The SOS team includes foot doctors and podiatrists that are experienced with diagnosing and treating ingrown toenails. Whether to prevent complications from an ingrown toenail, or to address an infection or other problems that have developed from an ingrown toenail, our foot doctors can help.
Ingrown Toenail Causes
Ingrown toenails are often caused by trimming a toenail too short, which can result in the toenail growing in to the toe's skin.
Other common causes of ingrown toenails include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Footwear that fits too tight around toenails
- Toenail injuries
- Toenails that develop with an abnormal curve
Ingrown Toenail Symptoms
Symptoms of ingrown toenails include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Foot pain
- Redness around the toenail
- Swelling around the toenail
Ingrown Toenail Treatment
Early detection is very important for an ingrown toenail. This is because an ingrown toenail can develop in to an infection, which can cause serious complications.
Ingrown toenail treatments include lifestyle changes, such as changing footwear, as well as certain basic treatments that you or your loved one can do at home.
As treatment plans vary on a patient by patient basis, for the most effective ingrown toenail treatment, it's best to talk to an SOS foot doctor about the best home care treatment that makes sense for you or your loved one's personal health.
Certain medications can also help treat an ingrown toenail, as well as associated foot pain. These can include pain medications and/or antibiotics.
To discover the most appropriate ingrown toenail treatment for you or your loved one...
Ingrown Toenail Surgery
If foot pain persists after more conservative ingrown toenail treatments are used, ingrown toenail surgery may be necessary. Excessive inflammation or discharge are also signs of an infection, which may require ingrown toenail surgery.
Ingrown toenail surgery can involve removing part of the nail. Ingrown toenail surgery may also involve removing nearby soft tissue.
See an SOS Foot Doctor About an Ingrown Toenail Before It Develops In To Something Worse
The SOS team of foot doctors and podiatrists are experienced in treating ingrown toenails and their related symptoms. An SOS foot doctor or podiatrist can develop a total orthopedic care plan that's personalized for you or your loved one.
If your foot pain may be caused by an ingrown toenail...