Ingrown Toenail

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when your nail grows into the skin around the nail bed, instead of out and away from your toe. 

Without early intervention and treatment, an ingrown nail can become infected. If you have diabetes or venous insufficiency, that increases your risk of gangrene or amputation.

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

• Redness
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Warmth

If your toenail develops an infection, it might also ooze pus.

What causes ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails occur for various reasons, including:

• Wearing tight shoes
• Cutting your toenails at an angle
• Stubbing your toe
• Having abnormally curved nails

There’s no way to prevent an ingrown toenail entirely, but you can significantly lower your risk by inspecting your feet daily and wearing shoes that give your toes plenty of room to move around. 

How is an ingrown toenail diagnosed?

To diagnose an ingrown toenail, your Advanced Foot & Ankle Center provider has you take off your shoes and socks to examine your foot. If your nail looks infected, they might also order X-rays to determine how deep the nail grows into your skin.

How is an ingrown toenail treated?

Often, ingrown toenails respond to at-home treatments like soaking the nail in warm water, wearing comfortable shoes, and taking over-the-counter pain medication. If your symptoms persist or get worse, Advanced Foot & Ankle Center might recommend:

Lifting the nail

If your toenail is red and only slightly irritated, your provider might lift it with a splint. Lifting the nail allows it to grow out and away from your toe.

Partially removing the nail

If your nail is infected and oozing pus, your provider might remove part of it. After removing the damaged portion of your nail, they apply a topical antibiotic to prevent infection and encourage your body’s healing process.

Completely removing the nail

If you experience a recurring ingrown toenail, your provider might recommend removing the nail altogether. To do that, they numb your toe with an anesthetic and surgically remove the nail. Following surgery, your provider writes a prescription for oral antibiotics.

At Advanced Foot & Ankle Center, the podiatrists use the latest technologies that are safe, effective, and provide lasting relief.

To receive treatment for an ingrown toenail, make an appointment at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center by calling the nearest office or clicking the online booking feature today.