SAFE CARE FOR INGROWN TOENAILS
Podiatry Care
INGROWN TOENAILS CAN BECOME A PAINFUL NUISANCE
As an ingrown toenail digs into the skin, usually at sides of the nail, it can cause pain, swelling, and in some cases infection, drainage, and foul odors.
The most common causes of ingrown toenails are poor trimming, where short nails lead the skin to grow over the nail, and poorly fitting, cramped footwear. Other factors include fungal infections and trauma to the toe.
At A Step Above Podiatry, you’ll find both immediate and long-term treatments that will alleviate the pain and prevent ingrown nails from returning.
TRY TREATING YOUR INGROWN NAILS AT HOME
To treat non-infected ingrown nails at home, try soaking your foot in tepid water and gently massaging the side of the nail fold.
Do NOT place cotton under the nail to relieve the pain, since the material can easily lead to bacterial infections, and repeated trimming of the nail borders often just makes things worse.
Avoid over-the-counter medications that treat the pain but not the underlying issue.
FIND RELIEF FROM THE PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH INGROWN NAILS
If ingrown nails persist, see Dr. Elizabeth Hinton, DPM for a range of treatments.
- Oral antibiotics to address any infection
- Surgery to remove a part of the nail or the entire nail
- Destruction of the nail root to prevent recurrence of ingrown nails
Surgical recovery is swift, and many patients resume their normal activities within a day.
To prevent the recurrence of ingrown toenails, improve your toenail cutting techniques – keep the forward edges of your toenail fairly straight and not too short – and avoid wearing shoes that too short, too tight, or too loose.
NEED A MEDICAL ASSISTANCE?
Request an Appointment
Dr. Elizabeth Hinton, DPM is available to answer any questions you might have about your upcoming procedure and recovery period. If you’re worried about forgetting your questions, jot them down on a piece of paper and bring them to your appointment.
