How To Deal With An Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail is a common condition that occurs when your toenail starts to grow into the flesh of your toe

. In some cases, an ingrown toenail can lead to an infection and become extremely painful. Fortunately, there are some measures that you can take to avoid developing an ingrown nail in the future. If you already have an ingrown nail, you will be able to consult with your Silver Spring podiatrist to remedy the problem.

What Causes An Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail can lead to pain, swelling and the possibility of an infection. One of the most common causes of this condition is wearing shoes that are too small and that crowd your toenails together. Crowded toenails can be pushed sideways and cause an ingrown nail. In addition, either cutting your nails too short or not cutting them straight across can lead to ingrown toenails. If you are experiencing pain or redness around the outside of your nail, you are probably suffering from an ingrown nail. If the toe looks like it has become infected, it is important for you to visit with your podiatrist as soon as you can.

How Is An Ingrown Toenail Treated?

Depending on the severity of your ingrown nail, there are several different options available to treat it. For mild cases, you should soak your foot in warm water for about 15 minutes two to three times per day. This will reduce swelling and tenderness. If you have having mild pain, you can take an over the counter pain reducer such as Tylenol or ibuprofen to dull the pain. Choosing shoes that have an open toe can also be very helpful to lessen your pain until your foot feels better.

If your nail becomes very painful or there is redness that looks to be spreading, you should visit your podiatrist for further treatment. One option your doctor has is to lift the nail by placing a splint or cotton under the nail to separate it from your skin. Over time, the nail will begin to grow above the skin. For severely infected nails, your podiatrist may have to remove part of your nail.

Risks Of Ingrown Nails

Aside from simple pain associated with ingrown nails, there can be some complications from the infection. If left untreated, an infection can spread to your bone and even further if unchecked. If you have diabetes, you are further susceptible to severe infections because of the lowered blood flow to your extremities. This makes it more difficult for your body to fight off infections. For diabetics, it is important to regularly check your feet for any problems and visit your Silver Spring podiatrist if any issues become apparent.

To learn more about ingrown toenails or to schedule an appointment, contact your podiatrist in Silver Spring, MD today.

by: Gen Wright

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