What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail is a nail, usually on your big toe, that grows into the skin on one or both corners of the nail. Ingrown toenails often cause swelling, irritation, and pain. Untreated, an ingrown toenail can become infected and even spread the damage to underlying tissue and bones.

How do ingrown toenails happen?

There are several causes of ingrown toenails, with one of the most common being improper nail cutting. When you trim your nails in an arc shape instead of horizontally, it encourages the nail to grow under your skin and form an ingrown nail. Cutting your nails too short can also contribute to ingrown toenail development. 

Tight-fitting shoes that crowd your toes, such as high heels, are another common contributor to ingrown toenails. Dancers and athletes who experience trauma related to repetitive foot movements are likely to develop ingrown toenails. You can also inherit a tendency toward ingrown toenails. 

How can I tell if a nail is ingrown?

The exact symptoms vary according to how badly ingrown the toenail is, but some typical signs of an ingrown toenail include:

• Red skin at nail borders

• Swelling at one or both nail borders

• Pain

• Swelling

• Fluid or pus discharge

• Bad smell

If you notice at least one of these symptoms, get help promptly, before it worsens.

Can I treat an ingrown toenail at home?

Don't attempt treatment at home. Lifting the nail with a makeshift splint, like dental floss, can allow harmful bacteria to enter, causing an infection or making one worse. 

Digging the nail out with nail clippers, scissors, or other tools is a recipe for disaster. And, without anesthesia, it’s painful. You can accidentally remove too much of the nail (and the skin around it, too). DIY bathroom surgery carries an extremely high risk of infection. Don't take a chance — call Foot & Ankle Specialty Clinic for help.

How do you treat ingrown toenails?

At Utah Podiatry, a foot and ankle clinic, Dr. Martin administers an anesthetic to completely numb your toe. He surgically removes the ingrown toenail in a simple and safe procedure. If you have an infection, Dr. Martin may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics. You can typically return to normal activity almost immediately after your appointment. 

Get fast ingrown toenail treatment in a welcoming atmosphere by calling Foot & Ankle Specialty Clinic, or book online now.