Ingrown Toenails

Normally, toenails are built to grow forward. However, sometimes the edge of a nail will curve inward instead and start growing into the skin. This causes the flesh to become sore and irritated, and an ingrown toenail is born.

While a great number of ingrown nails can be treated well enough at home, there are certain cases when it is much preferable (or even a necessity) to have your toenail treated professionally.

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

Nails become ingrown for several different reasons. Some can be prevented, while others may be ingrained.

• Wearing improper shoes. Shoes that are too tight in the toe box or place too much forward pressure on the foot can cramp the toes and cause nails to grow erratically.
• Cutting toenails the wrong way. Trimming toenails much too short or with a rounded shape can cause them to grow curved and inward.
• An injury to the nail can cause it regrow incorrectly.
• Some families tend to have higher rates of ingrown toenails due to inheriting nails that naturally grow curved at the sides.

Causes that are based on external factors can often be prevented by making changes to footwear or trimming habits. Other causes may require more advanced forms of treatment.

There are times when you should skip home treatment for an ingrown toenail and see a professional instead. These include:

• The toe is showing signs of infection, such as discharge of pus, redness that is spreading and radiating from the site of the ingrown nail, or severe pain.
• You have diabetes or any other condition that interferes with circulation to the feet. Even small injuries can develop into big problems if not treated professionally.
• Ingrown toenails keep recurring even after you have tried taking steps to prevent them.

If you are ever unsure about whether you should come in for your ingrown toenail, never hesitate to give us a call. We will be happy to give you advice.