Ingrown Toenails Q & A
What are ingrown toenails?
An ingrown toenail happens when one side of your nail (usually on the big toe) curves down until it’s buried in the tissue around it. Ingrown toenails can be extremely uncomfortable, especially if you don’t treat the problem early.
Without treatment, an ingrown toenail can lead to foot ulcers, infections, or even toe amputation in the most severe cases.
What are the signs of ingrown toenails?
You can usually identify an ingrown toenail on sight, with common symptoms including:
- Red tissue
- Swollen skin
- Pain or tenderness
- Feeling of heat or warmth
- Infection
If you develop an infection, you may notice oozing pus or clear fluid at the edge of the nail. Sometimes, abnormal granulation tissue — new bright red tissue — may appear at the corner of the nail, as well.
When do I need to see a podiatrist about an ingrown toenail?
Dr. Suh encourages anyone with an ingrown toenail to visit DFW Foot and Ankle as soon as possible. It’s particularly important to seek treatment if you have chronic ingrown toenails or if you have an ingrown toenail with signs of infection.
People whose healing abilities are compromised are prone to skin ulceration, infections, and other complications. So, if you have diabetes and develop an ingrown toenail, you should see Dr. Suh for diabetic foot care right away.
What causes ingrown toenails?
A number of factors may contribute to an ingrown toenail, including:
- Cutting your nails too short
- Cutting your nails in a curved shape
- Too-tight shoes
- Toe trauma, like stubbing your toe
In most cases, you can control your risk of ingrown toenails. However, some people simply have toenails that are too large for their toes, which increases the chances of the nail borders growing into the skin.
How are ingrown toenails treated?
Dr. Suh can administer a local anesthetic and then skillfully remove the buried part of your toenail. Then, he treats the nail matrix (where the nail growth starts) with a topical chemical or other means to prevent a recurrence.
Don’t wait to seek ingrown toenail pain relief. At DFW Foot and Ankle, Dr. Suh can expertly treat your ingrown toenail immediately. Call the office today or click online scheduling to set up your appointment.
