Ingrown Toenail Specialist

What are ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails are nails that grow into surrounding soft tissues within a toe. The nail that grows abnormally often turns painful, and it could get infected when left untreated. At the first sign of an uncomfortable toenail, see the Associated Foot Specialists team for an evaluation to reduce your risk of complications and the need for surgery.

What are the symptoms of ingrown toenails?

The main signs and symptoms of ingrown toenails include:

• Nails that grow into surrounding flesh
• Swelling
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Soreness
• Tenderness
• Pus 

Ingrown toenails often appear on your big toe, but they can develop within any toe. If infected, ingrown nails may get progressively more painful over time without treatment.

What are the risk factors for ingrown toenails?

Common risk factors for ingrown toenails include:

• Cutting your toenails too short
• Not cutting toenails straight across
• Wearing shoes that crowd your toes
• Having curved toenails
• Toenail injuries
• Poor nail trimming techniques
• Ill-fitting shoes
• Foot diseases
• Family history of ingrown toenails
• Diabetes
• Poor circulation

Ways to reduce your chance of getting an ingrown toenail include trimming your toenails straight across, keeping your nails at a moderate length, checking your feet regularly if you have diabetes, and wearing comfortable shoes.

How does my doctor diagnose ingrown toenails?

Associated Foot Specialists can diagnose an ingrown toenail after looking at the affected nail and surrounding tissues. Your foot doctor also discusses your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms before personalizing your treatment plan.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

The Associated Foot Specialists team could recommend one of the following treatments for ingrown toenails:

Home remedies

Things you can do at home to enhance healing of an ingrown toenail include soaking your feet in warm water, applying antibiotic cream to it, wearing comfortable shoes, and lifting an ingrown toenail using dental floss or cotton. 

Medical treatments

Your podiatrist may treat an ingrown toenail by lifting the nail, removing part of an ingrown nail, or removing the entire nail. They first numb the treatment area to ensure you don’t feel any pain.

Don’t live with a painful ingrown toenail when highly effective, simple treatments are within reach at Associated Foot Specialists. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or book one online today.