Ingrown toenails are a common source of foot pain for many people. Whether it’s genetics that gave you really curved toenails or improper trimming techniques that caused your problem, a trained podiatrist who treats ingrown nails with the latest procedures relieves you of the pain and suffering you’re experiencing. Don’t wait until the nail becomes infected and you have to have it completely removed. Call sooner rather than later to get the professional guidance you need to deal with your ingrown toenails and prevent them from returning. But if your nail is oozing pus or affecting your mobility, get proper treatment right away to prevent even more serious complications.
Ingrown toenails are often painful. If you’re one of the 40 million Americans who’ve had at least one instance of the condition, you know how the embedded nail affects your mobility and lifestyle. Usually occurring on big toes, an ingrown nail grows into the soft tissue around the toe. In addition to the pain in your toe that an ingrown toenail causes, particularly when you or your shoe applies pressure to it, you also experience:
- Inflammation that makes your toes even more tender
- Redness around the edges of the nail that’s become embedded
- Infections that may cause pus to leak out from under the nail
- Nail discoloration as the infection spreads under the nail
In addition to the discomfort they cause, ingrown nails are unsightly. Often, trying an ingrown toenail treatment at home makes it worse, which is why you’re better off seeking the help of a trained expert in foot care. At Premier Podiatry, foot specialist Dr. Velimir Petkov knows how to get rid of an ingrown toenail painlessly and effectively so that you can resume your normal activities free of pain as quickly as possible.
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How Did This Happen?
Ingrown toenails typically happen because you cut your nails too short. As they grow back, they’re then poised to grow into the tissue closest to the nail. Trimming nails in a curved fashion — closely following the curve of your toe — can lead to ingrown nails as well for the same reason.
Wearing shoes that are too tight or have pointy toes that squeeze your toes together is another common cause of ingrown nails. For some people, there’s little you can do to prevent the condition, especially if you’re born with toenails that curve unnaturally.
Complications if Left Untreated
Even if you get accustomed to the ingrown nature of your toenails and spend time digging out the curved nail when it becomes too bothersome, it’s best to take the time for a brief visit with your Dr. Petkov qualified foot specialist offers easy access in northern New Jersey that’s only 30 minutes from downtown New York City.
By seeking professional guidance, you may find that ingrown toenail removal not only takes care of the pain and tenderness you live with, but also helps prevent further complications, such as:
- The spread of infection, which even can migrate to the bones in your toes and lead to a serious bone infection
- Damaged nerves could lead to gangrene, especially if you have a diabetic foot, a compromised circulation problem or neuropathy
- Poor blood flow leaves your feet vulnerable to infection when you stub your toe or have some other minor injury
- Foot ulcers that require surgical treatment
Ingrown Toenail Treatment
All it takes is a visual exam for your podiatrist to see that you have an ingrown toenail. If pus is present, you may undergo a round of topical or oral antibiotics to clear up an infection. In the podiatry center in Clifton, NJ, Dr. Petkov may undertake a few steps to treat your ingrown toenail, including:
- Lightly lifting the errant nail and placing a small splint in the form of a cotton pad or other material under the nail to direct a more healthy growth. You follow up at home by soaking your foot in warm water daily and replacing the padding.
- Removing part of the nail that’s connected to the ingrown portion. Prior to this treatment, your toe is numbed with a local anesthetic. This procedure is recommended if the ingrown nail is more severe and you have pain and tenderness around the nail.
- Taking off a larger portion of the nail, as well as the underlying tissue, if the ingrown nail repeatedly returns. After administering a local anesthetic, this ingrown toenail surgery may be done with a laser, chemicals or mechanically. Ingrown toenail surgery like this may prevent the nail on that toe from growing back at all.
Following the relief you get immediately following any ingrown toenail removal process, Dr. Petkov provides you with instructions to prevent further ingrown nails. He may also give you information about how to treat an ingrown toenail in the very earliest stages of its development. Contact Premier Podiatry today for professional ingrown toenail treatment that lasts.
Ingrown Toenail Q & A
What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?
Your toenail becomes ingrown when it starts digging into the surrounding skin, rather than growing straight out. In some cases, ingrown toenails develop because your toenails are naturally over-curved. Usually, though, men and women develop ingrown toenails due to:
- Rounding out toenail edges
- Cutting toenails too short
- Injuring toes
- Wearing snug-fitting shoes
Because an ingrown toenail can quickly become infected, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms and seek medical intervention if you suspect you have an ingrown toenail.
What Are the Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail?
Ingrown toenails most commonly cause pain and inflammation in the affected area. You might also notice a red bump where your nail is growing into your skin. As the toenail becomes more and more ingrown, you could experience:
- Pus or drainage
- Throbbing or aching
- Warmth to the touch
Since your toes are the furthest point from your heart and blood flow is so limited — plus your circulatory system is working against gravity — a seemingly minor infection can quickly turn serious. It’s important to book an evaluation at Premier Podiatry right away if you have an ingrown toenail.
How Are Ingrown Toenails Treated?
Dr. Petkov performs ingrown toenail treatments and surgeries right in the office at Premier Podiatry. If it’s a minor ingrown toenail, he may simply need to numb your toe, remove the ingrown part of your nail, and treat the underlying infection with topical medication (if needed).
But if you have a severe case or a nail that continues to become ingrown, you might need a more permanent solution. Dr. Petkov can remove the portion of your nail that’s ingrown and treat your nail bed with a chemical or laser solution to prevent that part of your nail from growing back.
Sometimes it’s just best to remove your entire nail and treat it to prevent future regrowth, though. No matter which type of ingrown toenail treatment is right for you, rest assured, Dr. Petkov ensures you’re entirely numb and comfortable, so you shouldn’t feel a thing. He even spends time showing you how to properly care for your toenails to minimize your risk of future ingrown toenails.
Premier Podiatry: Velimir Petkov, DPM
Address in Clifton:
925 Clifton Ave, Ste 107
Clifton, NJ 07013
925 Clifton Ave, Ste 107
Clifton, NJ 07013
Address in Wayne:
502 Hamburg Turnpike, Ste. 105
Wayne, NJ 07470
502 Hamburg Turnpike, Ste. 105
Wayne, NJ 07470
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973-315-5555