What causes an ingrown toenail?
Medically known as “onychocryptosis,” an ingrown toenail is one of the leading types of toenail infections podiatrists treat.
Usually, an ingrown toenail develops because you trim your toenails too short or because you round out your toenail edges. As the nail continues to grow, it digs into your skin, where it causes tearing and irritation.
Improper toenail trimming isn’t the only cause of an ingrown toenail though. Your risk of suffering from an ingrown toenail is high due to:
- Going through injury or trauma, such as stubbing your toe
- Having overly curved nails (known as pincer nails)
- Wearing socks or shoes that are too tight
An ingrown toenail is most common on one or both sides of your big toe. But any of your toenails can certainly become ingrown.
When should I see a podiatrist for an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail is never something you should ignore or try to treat on your own. Ingrown toenails can become so severe that the infection spreads into your underlying bone, which is a serious medical issue.
The pain you experience from an ingrown toenail can also become so severe, it changes the way you walk, and this can lead to secondary issues, like ankle or knee pain.
Dr. Rosenblum encourages you to come in to Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic if you notice any of the following issues in any of your toes:
- Inflammation
- Tenderness
- Oozing pus
- Throbbing
- Redness
- Burning
You can get treatment for your ingrown toenail on the spot, so you won’t have to live another day with agonizing foot pain.
What are my options for treating an ingrown toenail?
When you come in to Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic for your ingrown toenail evaluation, Dr. Rosenblum examines your feet and talks with you about the severity of your ingrown toenail. Your ingrown toenail treatment plan, which is personalized to you, may involve:
- Placing a splint underneath your toenail to encourage it to grow away from your skin
- Numbing your toe and trimming away the ingrown portion of your toenail
- Numbing your toe and removing your entire toenail
- Applying a topical antibacterial solution
- Prescribing antibiotic medications
If you continue developing ingrown toenails because of your inherited curved nail shape, you may need another treatment.
He may recommend not just removing the nail but also using a chemical or laser treatment to target the nail growth center and stop the nail from growing back. This is generally a last resort if you’re at risk of serious infections, like if you have diabetes.
Book your ingrown toenail evaluation at Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic today. Click on the online scheduler or call the office to speak with a team member.
