Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin, or when the skin around the nail grows rapidly and absorbs the nail. Initially ingrown toenails may not have any symptoms, but can become more painful over time, especially when pressure is applied. The affected toe can also become red, warm, swollen, tender, or even infected. Mild ingrown toenails can be treated by gently lifting the edges of the nail out from underneath the skin. A sterile piece of cotton can be placed under the nail until the swelling subsides. Recurring or severe ingrown toenails are recommended to be removed. Once the toe is numbed with a local anesthetic to reduce pain, your podiatrist will cut the ingrown section of the nail and remove it. If you are afflicted with a painful ingrown toenail please consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper course of treatment for you.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Barry P. Weinstein, DPM of Bellaire Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bellaire and Houston, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.