Ingrown toenails are common, affecting about 18% of adults in the United States. If you experience pain, redness, or swelling near your big toenail, the board-certified podiatrists at Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists in Farmington, New Mexico, can help. They offer simple treatments that ease toenail pain and allow the nail to heal properly. Call the office to schedule an appointment with the podiatrists at Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists or request an appointment online today.
An ingrown toenail is a common condition that occurs when the corner of your toenail grows into the surrounding skin. It usually affects your big toe.
Anybody can develop an ingrown toenail, but it’s more likely to occur if you have:
Ingrown toenails don’t usually pose a serious health risk, but they’re often painful and might prevent you from being as physically active as you’d like.
If you experience the signs or symptoms below, you might have an ingrown toenail:
If discomfort from an ingrown toenail doesn’t go away on its own, the experienced team of podiatrists at Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists evaluates your toe and discusses treatment options with you.
The board-certified podiatrists at Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists might recommend one of the following ingrown toenail treatments:
Sometimes, proper at-home care allows ingrown toenails to heal without surgery. Try soaking your foot 3-4 times daily in warm water, keeping your foot dry, wearing comfortable shoes, and using antibiotic creams. Take pain relievers as needed to ease discomfort while your nail heals.
If you’ve tried home care remedies without success, your podiatrist might perform minor surgery to remove all or a portion of the ingrown nail. They inject an anesthetic into your toe to make the procedure comfortable right in the office. Your toenail eventually regrows after about 3-4 months.
You can’t always prevent ingrown toenails from developing, but you can greatly reduce your risk by:
Don’t let ingrown toenail pain reduce your quality of life when simple treatment options are within reach. Call Orthopedic Associates: Foot & Ankle Specialists to book an appointment or schedule one online today.
