Ingrown Toenails

What is an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toenails are common conditions that occur when the corner or side of your toenail grows into the adjacent flesh. This causes pain, redness, and swelling in the affected area. Without treatment, an ingrown toenail can lead to an infection. 

Most of the time, ingrown toenails affect your big toe. Depending on the severity of your condition, pain and tenderness may affect one side of the nail or both. 

Ingrown toenails often resolve with home treatments, such as soaking your foot in warm water 3-4 times per day and keeping the foot dry at all other times. You should call Arizona Foot & Ankle Specialists if you have an ingrown toenail that doesn’t get better within a few days of home care, or if you notice signs of infection, such as pus.

If you have diabetes and notice an ingrown toenail, call Arizona Foot & Ankle Specialists right away. Don’t try to treat the condition on your own, as it may lead to an infection.  

What causes ingrown toenails?

The most common cause of ingrown toenails is trimming your toenails too short or rounding the corners. Other possible causes of ingrown toenails include injuring your toenail or wearing shoes that are too narrow in the toe box. 

How can I prevent ingrown toenails?

The best ways to prevent an ingrown toenail include:

• Trimming your toenails straight across
• Not trimming your toenails too short
• Wearing shoes that fit properly 
• Wearing protective footwear to avoid injury

People with diabetes should check their feet on a daily basis to look for signs of ingrown toenails and any other changes. 

How are ingrown toenails treated?

First, your provider at Arizona Foot & Ankle Specialists carefully examines your foot and reviews your symptoms and medical history. Then, they recommend the best treatment for your specific needs. 

Treatment for a slightly ingrown toenail that isn’t infected may include carefully lifting the nail edge and placing dry material, such as cotton, beneath it. If you have an infection, they may prescribe antibiotics and partially remove the nail. Repeated ingrown toenails that affect the same toe may require surgery to prevent the problem from happening again. 

Without treatment, an ingrown toenail can become a serious infection. Don’t hesitate to call Arizona Foot & Ankle Specialists or book an appointment online today.