What Is an Ingrown Toenail?
A toenail is considered ingrown when the edges of the toenail grow into the skin next to it. Most ingrown toenails occur in the big toe.
Ingrown toenails can occur in men and women of all ages, although they are considered most common in older adults since nails thicken as we age and it can be difficult for seniors to trim their toenails properly.
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
Improper toenail trimming is the leading cause of ingrown toenails among any age group. It is important to trim the toenails straight across, not rounded, and not too short, which can encourage the nail to grow into the skin rather than over it.
Other causes including:
● Genetics
● Irregular toenails that are naturally curved
● Toenail injuries
● Shoes, socks, or stockings that are too tight or narrow and put pressure on the toes.
● Sports and other physical activities that involve repeated kicking, or that consistently apply pressure on the feet and toes.
Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails in the early stages can be painful, causing the surrounding skin to be swollen, hard, red, and tender. There may even be fluid that collects around the affected toe.
If an ingrown toenail goes untreated, it may become infected and lead to more serious symptoms such as:
● More intense pain, redness, and swelling
● Bleeding
● Oozing pus
● Odor
● Skin that becomes overgrown surrounding the toe
● Warmth around the affected toe
Treatment Options for Ingrown Toenails
A minor ingrown toenail may heal by itself. However, if it is very painful, infected, or if you have diabetes or any circulatory disorder, a podiatrist should be consulted. A podiatrist may use a variety of techniques to ease pain and swelling, cure any infection with prescription medications, and to bring the nail back to a normal growth pattern.
Treatments will vary, depending on the severity of the condition, any underlying conditions the patient may have, and whether there is an infection.
Lifting the nail. Slightly ingrown nails can be gently lifted off the nail bed to relieve pressure, with a piece of cotton or splint to keep the nail in position and guide it as it regrows.
● Partial removal of the nail. If the condition is more advanced and there is pus, intense pain, or redness, the podiatrist may suggest removing the part of the nail that has become ingrown.
● Full removal of nail and surround tissue. If the condition becomes chronic, the podiatrist may recommend removing the faulty nail and underlying tissue.
If you have a painful ingrown toenail that has not quickly healed on its own or if you have diabetes or a circulatory issue, get the nail treated professionally by a podiatrist.
FAQ
1. What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail happens when the side of the nail pushes into the skin next to it, and the big toe is where it occurs most often. Pain, redness, and swelling usually follow, and infection can develop if bacteria get in through the broken skin.
2. What causes ingrown toenails?
Most cases come down to cutting the nails badly, footwear that squeezes the toes, an injury to the toe, or an inherited nail shape that curls at the edges. Nails trimmed too short, or rounded off at the corners, are considerably more likely to grow into the skin instead of over it.
3. Who is most likely to get ingrown toenails?
They can happen to anyone, but teenagers, athletes, and people in tight shoes or on their feet all day see them most often. Swelling in the feet and thickening of the nails both add to the risk.
4. How can I tell if an ingrown toenail is infected?
Look for spreading redness, warmth in the toe, swelling, pus coming from the edge of the nail, and pain that continues to build. If the toe becomes extremely tender, or simply is not getting better, treatment is likely needed to keep the infection from going further.
5. Can ingrown toenails heal without treatment?
A mild one sometimes resolves with attentive home care, meaning warm water soaks and keeping pressure off the toe. Once pain persists or infection appears, professional treatment becomes the sensible choice and heads off complications.
6. Is it safe to cut an ingrown toenail at home?
Trying to cut it out yourself tends to aggravate the problem or invite infection, especially where the nail has grown deeply into the skin. Having it treated professionally means the nail is handled safely and makes recurrence less likely.
7. How are ingrown toenails treated?
The approach depends on severity, and may be as simple as soaking the foot, relieving pressure on the toe, and correcting how the nail is trimmed. For an ingrown toenail that keeps returning or has become infected, a short in-office procedure to take out the affected portion of the nail is usually what ends the pain.
8. When should I see a podiatrist for an ingrown toenail?
Make an appointment if the toe is very painful, if infection has set in, or if the same nail becomes ingrown repeatedly. Diabetes, poor circulation, and nerve conditions all raise the stakes considerably, so anyone in those groups should be seen early rather than waiting.
10. How do I choose a podiatrist for ingrown toenail treatment in Houston?
Look for a podiatrist who treats ingrown toenails routinely rather than occasionally, and who can carry out the procedure in the office instead of referring you elsewhere. Ask whether they offer permanent correction for a nail that keeps becoming ingrown, since removing the border on its own often means the problem returns. Experience with diabetic and circulatory patients matters if that applies to you, because those cases need closer monitoring. It also helps if the practice is convenient enough that you will actually keep a follow-up appointment. Dr. Arnold Farbstein has provided foot and ankle care in Houston for over 30 years, and treats ingrown toenails at every stage, from lifting the nail through to removing the nail and underlying tissue in chronic cases.
