Ingrown Toenail Specialist

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail is a painful condition that can cause a number of symptoms. Among them are:

• Redness (erythema)
• Swelling (edema)
• Tenderness (toe pain)

As the edges of your toenail dig into the nearby soft flesh, it can cause a great deal of pain along with redness and inflammation. In some cases, ingrown toenails can lead to an infected toe nail. Pus draining from the affected toe is a telltale sign of an ingrown toenail infection. 

Ingrown toenails pose a significant risk for people with diabetes or other conditions that affect blood circulation in the feet. If you experience signs of an ingrown toenail, the podiatrists at Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia - West Cobb in Marietta can provide you with the right treatment to eliminate your pain and restore your foot health. 

What causes ingrown toenails?

A number of underlying problems can lead to ingrown toenails. One of the most common causes is improper trimming. Cutting your toe nails too short or failure to trim your toenails straight across can increase your chances of developing an ingrown toenail. Additional causes include:

• Tight-fitting shoes
• Toe injuries
• Abnormal nail shape (such as a pincer toe nail)

Some people are at an increased risk of developing ingrown toenails because of the shape of their nail. Issues like toe injuries or wearing tight-fitting shoes can also cause your nail to grow inward. If left untreated, an infection from an ingrown toenail can spread, eventually leading to a bone infection. 

Can ingrown toenails be prevented?

Although you can’t always prevent ingrown toenails, you can take steps to reduce your risks. Firstly, you should always follow the best practices for trimming your nails. Keep your nails at a moderate length and avoid trimming your nails to match the rounded shape of the front of your toe. 

You should also avoid shoes that put too much pressure on your toes. If your occupation puts your feet at risk of injury, you should be sure to wear protective footwear. 

If you do happen to experience an ingrown toenail, the highly skilled podiatrists at Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia - West Cobb specialize in wound care and have extensive experience treating infected ingrown toenails. 

What ingrown toenail treatments are available?

Treatment depends on your symptoms and the severity of your ingrown toenail. If your condition is mild, your doctor may recommend at-home treatments like soaking the foot or taking over-the-counter pain relievers as you heal. 

If your condition is more severe (infected ingrown toenail), the team offers an in-office procedure to remove the ingrown portions of your nail. The team uses specialized instruments that allow your doctor to treat your condition while maintaining the appearance of your nail. 

To find out which treatment is right for you, call the office or book your appointment online today with our foot doctors.

Podiatrist seeing patients from Marietta, Kennesaw, Hiram, and Acworth.