An ingrown toenail is a fairly straightforward problem. Part of your nail starts growing into the surrounding soft tissue of your toe. It can happen with any digit, but it’s most common on the big one.
While an ingrown toenail usually isn’t a serious problem, that doesn’t mean it’s one you should ignore, especially if you have a condition that affects your feet, like diabetes. That’s because any problem that can damage your skin leaves the area vulnerable to bacteria and infection.
Plus, an ingrown toenail is just plain uncomfortable. The good news is that you can often treat them at home. Our podiatry team treats common and complex issues at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle in Ontario or Corona, California.
In this blog, they explain at-home treatments for ingrown toenails and when it’s time to see one of their experts.
It’s usually easy to spot the signs of an ingrown toenail. They usually trigger pain, swelling, and inflammation or redness on one side of the affected nail bed.
At the first sign of an ingrown toenail, you can often take action at home with these methods and find relief.
First up, take some time to soak your feet in a warm bath with gentle soap or Epsom salts for 10-20 minutes each day. This simple step reduces discomfort, and inflammation, and softens your skin.
After your soak, gently but thoroughly dry your feet and apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to prevent infection. Then, loosely cover it with a bandage.
Finally, always make sure your toes have plenty of space when treating an ingrown toenail.
For the best results, switch to sandals or open-toe shoes when possible. If that’s not an option, choose footwear with enough space for you to easily wiggle your toes.
If these at-home care strategies don’t provide relief, it’s time to see an expert.
An estimated 2 in 10 people seeing a doctor for a foot problem have an ingrown toenail. And for good reason — without treatment, the nail continues digging into the skin, causing severe pain and the risk of infection.
Signs your ingrown toenail requires expert care include:
You should also seek professional attention immediately for an ingrown toenail if you have a condition impacting your feet, such as nerve damage, poor blood circulation, or diabetes.
While this common problem typically doesn’t cause serious complications in healthy individuals, it can cause dangerous issues in those with underlying health conditions.
Our team can put together a treatment strategy to address your ingrown toenail. Our team can put together a treatment strategy to address your ingrown toenail. In some cases, that means removing some or all of the nail.
In addition to treating ingrown toenails, our team can also provide personalized recommendations to prevent future problems.
Three of the best ways to avoid this common problem involve trimming toenails straight across instead of rounding them at the corners, wearing shoes that fit properly, and following appropriate foot care practices if you have diabetes.
Do you have a problematic ingrown toenail? Our team can solve the issue at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle. Contact our office in Ontario or Corona, California, to book a consultation today.