Within the world of common foot woes, ingrown toenails stand as a painful and bothersome issue that can disrupt daily life. These occur when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin, leading to inflammation and discomfort. Often stemming from improper nail trimming, wearing tight footwear, or genetic reasons, ingrown toenails can bring about pain, swelling, and possibly infection. Treating this condition involves gentle soaking, proper nail trimming techniques, and wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes. In cases of infection, consulting a podiatrist is crucial in preventing complications. In more severe instances, surgical intervention may be necessary to provide long lasting relief. By understanding the causes and exploring the range of treatments, individuals can actively engage in preventing ingrown toenails. If you have developed an ingrown toenail, it is strongly suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can offer you treatment methods that are correct for you.
Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Bruening Foot & Ankle. Our doctors 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 our offices located in Covina and Alta Loma, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
