An ingrown toenail is a common condition in which the corner of a nail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to inflammation, pain, and sometimes even infection. While home remedies and preventative care may be adequate for treating milder cases of ingrown toenails, sometimes medical intervention is necessary, especially for moderate to severe cases. Seeing a podiatrist may benefit people who are prone to recurrent ingrown nails. There are a variety of medical treatments for ingrown nails, such as lifting or partially removing the nail. A recent study has found that patients who receive medical treatment for ingrown nails are generally satisfied with the outcome and may experience an improvement in their overall quality of life. If you find yourself afflicted with painful or frequent ingrown toenails, it is recommended that you visit a podiatrist.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Robert Graser of Graser Podiatry and Bunion Surgery Institute. Our doctor 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 our office located in Boerne, . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.