Tuesday, 19 September 2023 00:00

Ingrown Toenail Care

An ingrown toenail is a toenail that grows sideways into the nail bed, causing pain and swelling. Ingrown toenails can worsen and cause drainage, turning into a serious infection.

Several factors affect whether a person is at risk from an ingrown toenail. The many causes include being overweight, diabetes, participating in sports, having a fungal infection of the toe, and cutting your nails too short. Ingrown toenails also have a genetic predisposition, causing some people to be more prone to receive the condition than others. Other causes include improperly fitting shoes and shoes that keep the feet damp.

Ingrown toenails can be preventable with certain measures. For starters, allowing your toe nails to grow slightly longer in length will help prevent them from becoming ingrown. If you have already developed an ingrown toenail, soak the affected toe in warm water. This will alleviate the pain and help prevent an infection from forming. Antibiotic soap or Epsom salts may be added to further help the relieving process and avoid infection. Placing cotton beneath the affected area is also suggested, as this may help the toenail grow upwards and not into the nail bed. Swelling and redness can be reduced by resting with your feet elevated.

A podiatrist should be seen if the pain becomes so serious that it prevents you from doing your everyday activities. If a red streak running up your leg appears or if you suspect your infection has spread, contact a podiatrist immediately. Fast treatments can be undertaken to lessen your pain and have you walking comfortably.

An ingrown toenail can be easily treated with a Band-Aid. Simply wrap the affected toe with a Band-Aid to prevent infection and keep the nail from growing out at a painful angle.

In more serious cases, your podiatrist may decide to make a small incision to remove a portion of your toenail. To prevent the nail from growing back, medication will be placed directly into the nail bed. This procedure would be performed under local anesthesia and is a faster method to alleviate discomfort from an ingrown toenail. Post-procedure directions will have you stay off the affected foot for a day. Afterwards, normal activities can be resumed.  

Nashville Foot &
Ankle Center

397 Wallace Road, Building C, Suite 411
Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 332-0330

Smyrna Foot &
Ankle Center

309 Quecreek Circle
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 220-2982

Spring Hill Foot &
Ankle Center

5073 Columbia Pike, Suite 230
Spring Hill, TN 37174
(615) 302-5400

Columbia Foot &
Ankle Center

1503 Hatcher Lane, Suite 100
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-9922

Dickson Foot &
Ankle Center

111 U.S. 70 East, Suite 102
Dickson, TN 37055
(615) 229-3045

Fairview Foot &
Ankle Center

2340 Fairview Blvd., Ste. 600A
Fairview, TN 37062
(615) 229-3045

Hohenwald Foot &
Ankle Center

617 West Main Street
Hohenwald, TN 38462
(931) 388-9922
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