Steps To Remedy Ingrown Toenails

If you have ever had an ingrown toenail, you know how much of a frustration and hassle it can be

. 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 ingrown toenails in the future. And if you already have an ingrown toenail, you will be able to consult with your Oklahoma City podiatrist to remedy the problem.

What Causes An Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the side or corner of your toenail grows into the skin of your toe. This leads to pain, swelling and the possibility of an infection. One of the most common causes of this affliction is wearing shoes that are too small that crowd your toenails. Crowded toenails can be pushed sideways and end up causing an ingrown nail. In addition, either cutting your nails too short or not cutting them straight across can contribute to the formation of ingrown nails. If you are experiencing pain or redness around the outside of your toenail, you probably are suffering from an ingrown nail. If the toe looks infected or you are suffering from diabetes, it is very important to see your podiatrist as soon as you can.

How Is An Ingrown Toenail Treated?

Depending on the severity of the ingrown nail, there are a variety of treatment options that you can use. For mild cases, you should soak your foot in warm water for about 15 minutes two or three times per day. This will reduce swelling and tenderness. If you are having mild pain, you can take an over the counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to dull the pain. Choosing shoes with an open toe can also be helpful to relieve pain until your foot feels better.

If the nail becomes very painful or there is redness that looks to be spreading, you should see your podiatrist for further treatment. One option your doctor has is to lift the nail by placing cotton or a splint under the nail to separate it from your skin. Over time, the nail will grow above the skin. For more severely infected nails, your podiatrist may need to remove the part of your nail that is ingrown. Generally he or she will have to inject your toe with anesthesia to numb the area.

Risks Of Ingrown Toenails

Aside from the pain associated with ingrown nails, there can be some complications that can occur. If the ingrown nail becomes infected, the infection can spread to your bone and spread even further if left untreated. If you have diabetes, you are especially susceptible to severe infections due to the lowered blood flow to your extremities. In diabetic cases, it is very important to regularly check your feet for any problems and see your podiatrist if any issues are apparent.

To learn more about how best to treat an ingrown toenail, contact your Oklahoma podiatrist today.

by: Gen Wright

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