Ingrown toenails are very common but do have the ability to cause extreme discomfort. If the corners of a toenail begin to grow downward and inward while digging into the skin, then an ingrown toenail is forming. Ingrown toenails cause redness, discomfort, and swelling. Footwear is one of the root causes of ingrown toenails. Tight-fitting or high-heeled shoes can cause the big toe to become compacted, which can easily result in an ingrown toenail. Sports that put repetitive force on the toe can lead to the nail growing incorrectly, therefore proper footwear when participating in sports is essential to minimizing the risk of ingrown toenails. While certain footwear can result in ingrown toenails, the best way to avoid this affliction is to regularly clip your toenails. Toenails should be clipped directly across, so that the edges are less likely to dig into the skin. It is suggested to speak with a podiatrist if you feel that you may have an ingrown toenail and need treatment.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Thomas Tran of Southwestern Foot & Ankle Associates, P.C.. 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 Frisco, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.