Ingrown toe nails are a common, painful condition that occur when the nail grows into the skin. This condition is usually very painful and can cause an infection of the toe.  Pain, redness, warmth, and swelling can result from an ingrown toenail. Sometimes ingrown toenails are chronic (repeated episodes of pain and infection).

Cause

Ingrown toenails develop for many reasons. In some cases the cause is heredity, such as toenails that simply are too large or the edges curl down into the skin. People whose toes curl are prone to ingrown toenails. Often trauma, such as stubbing the toe or having a toe stepped on, can cause the nail to cut into the skin.

The most common cause is cutting your toenails incorrectly, either to short or digging into the corners. Tight shoes with narrow toe boxes can be another cause of ingrown nails. If the skin is red, painful or swollen on the sides of the nail, these may be signs of infection. When the nail breaks the skin, it provides a entry point for germs that can cause infection. If left untreated, the nail can go deeper into the skin, causing a more severe infection. In either case, the nail edge may need to be removed with sterile instruments.

Treatment and Prevention

Ingrown toenails should be treated as soon as they occur. People with ingrown toenails that are not infected, may be able to obtain relief with the following simple regimen twice daily:

If redness, swelling, pain or drainage is present, the toenail probably is infected and should be treated by a Podiatrist. The Podiatrist can trim or remove the infected nail edge with a minor in-office surgical procedure after numbing the toe. The best way to prevent ingrown toenails is to protect the feet from trauma and wear shoes with adequate room for the toes.

Cutting your toenails properly is a big step in the prevention of ingrown toenails. Using a nail clipper, cut the nails straight across. Cutting the nail too short may cause it to grow back ingrown. If you must cut the nail corners, gently round the corners, being careful not to break the skin. Before you start, clean the toe and the nippers. When you are finished, apply a bandage with triple antibiotic ointment.

If you are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, call today for an appointment.