Your ingrown toenails can lead to problems, such as swelling, redness, and severe pain. If you encounter this, Mexton Deacon, DPM, at Milwaukee Advanced Foot & Ankle Clinic in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, can help mitigate the pain of an ingrown toenail. We can recommend home remedies, lifestyle modification, and noninvasive procedures to cure you.
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail is a common condition in which the corner or side of your toenail grows into the soft flesh surrounding your nail. It is an uncomfortable condition that can make even walking painful.
Symptoms can also include:
- Pain or tenderness along the outside of your toenail
- Swelling
- Redness
- An infection on the base of your toe
What causes an ingrown toenail?
Common causes of an ingrown toenail include:
- Wearing shoes that are too tight and crowd your toes
- Keeping your toenails cut too short
- An injury to your toenail
- Abnormally curved toenails
- Poor blood flow to your feet, such as having diabetes.
How can I prevent ingrown toenails?
- Wear shoes that fit you properly and don’t crowd your toenails.
- Try orthotics or foot inserts as a preventive measure.
- Limit your wearing of high heels
- Make sure not to cut them too short. Always cut them straight across to avoid curves.
- If you have diabetes, check your feet daily for signs of an ingrown toenail.
How is an ingrown toenail treated?
Dr. Deacon usually helps treat ingrown toenails with a host of conservative treatments and home remedies. These treatments may include soaking your feet in warm water, applying an antibiotic cream, and lifestyle modifications such as wearing more comfortable shoes. Over-the-counter pain medication can also help.
However, if your ingrown toenail doesn’t resolve itself, Dr. Deacon may recommend surgery to remove the nail and underlying tissue.
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To learn more about arthritis and personalized treatment plans, please feel free to contact us.