Ingrown Toenails: Causes, Treatment Options, and Prevention Tips

If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, you need to know what caused it, how your podiatrist can treat it, and how to prevent ingrown toenails from happening to you in the future. Drs. John Moore, Lily Moore, and Trusha Jariwala at Moore Foot & Ankle Specialists in Asheville, NC, provide comprehensive podiatry services, including diagnosing and treating ingrown toenails.

The Facts About Ingrown Toenails

So, what is an ingrown toenail? An ingrown toenail is a toenail which has grown into the skin around it. You may have developed the ingrown toenail because of:

• Experiencing trauma to your toenail
• Trimming your toenails too short
• Rounding the corners of your toenails when you trim them
• Wearing narrow, pointed-toe shoes that have crushed your toes

Looking at your toe, you can often tell if you have an ingrown toenail. You may notice that your toe looks dark or bruised around the toenail. You may also see drainage, blood, or pus around and underneath the toenail. You may also see swelling and pain in your toes.

When you first notice an ingrown toenail, you can try:

• Soaking your toe in warm water every day
• Placing a piece of dental floss under your toenail to guide the toenail upward
• Wearing open-toed shoes or sandals to help your toe heal

For moderate to severe ingrown toenail symptoms, you should visit your podiatrist, who may recommend:

• Trimming and thinning the toenail to decrease toenail pressure
• Cutting off the ingrown part of your toenail to allow your toenail to grow freely
• Removing the toenail completely so a new toenail can grow
• Laser treatment to reshape or remove the toenail and heal the soft tissue around your toenail

Remember these important tips to help prevent ingrown toenails:

• Don't cut your toenails too short
• Cut your toenails straight across, with no rounded corners
• Wear shoes with a wide toe box to give your toes room to move

Want To Know More About Ingrown Toenails?

To learn more about the causes and treatment of ingrown toenails and how to prevent them, call Drs. John Moore, Lily Moore, and Trusha Jariwala at Moore Foot & Ankle Specialists in Asheville, NC. You can reach them in the office by calling (828) 350-1880, so call today.