The severity of an ingrown toenail can range from mild and slightly uncomfortable to severe and even dangerous for certain people. When an ingrown toenail grows deep into the surrounding skin or breaks it, a medical intervention may be necessary to provide relief and help avoid further complications from developing. People with systemic health issues such as diabetes, poor circulation or nerve damage are particularly at risk of developing complications from an untreated ingrown toenail. Since these complications make it harder to detect, feel and heal decayed or damaged tissues in the skin, the condition may worsen and lead to a local infection, a foot ulcer, or even a bone infection. Prevention, early detection, and proper treatment will help keep ingrown toenails from developing and worsening, and podiatrists are experts in all of these areas. Call your local podiatrist for more information on treatment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Piedmont Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Greenville, and Easley, SC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.