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When Does an Ingrown Toenail Require a Trip to Your Podiatrist?
When it comes to ingrown toenails, many people think they’ll just go away on their own or with a little home treatment. However, there are times when it’s necessary to see a podiatrist.
At North Park Podiatry in San Diego, our expert podiatrists have treated many ingrown toenails. In this blog, they go over the signs and symptoms of ingrown toenails and explain how to tell when it’s time to see a medical professional.
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail is a condition that nearly everyone experiences at least once. In fact, 20% of people who report foot pain to their family doctor have an ingrown toenail.
Typically occurring on the big toe, though other toes can be affected as well, an ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a nail grows into the surrounding skin. This causes the area to become swollen and painful.
Common symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:
- Pain when walking or applying pressure to the toe
- Inflammation and swelling
- Discharge or bleeding from the affected area
You may also notice new skin forming over the edge of the nail, which is known as a granuloma.
How do ingrown toenails develop?
Ingrown toenails are most commonly caused by wearing improper footwear or by trimming the toenails improperly.
Wearing poorly fitting shoes
If you regularly wear shoes that are too tight or narrow in the toe area, this can lead to ingrown toenails. If there is too much pressure in the toe box, this could cause a nail to grow into the surrounding skin over time. To help keep this from happening, wear shoes that fit well and have adequate room in the toe box.
Trimming the nails too short
Trimming your toenails too short could cause nails to press into the skin as they grow out. The same can occur if you cut your nails at an angle or round them. The best thing to do is place your clippers a little further than the end of your toe and cut the nail straight across.
How to treat ingrown toenails at home
If your ingrown toenail has just developed and the symptoms are mild, home treatment can be effective.
Soak the affected toe in warm — not hot — water for a minimum of 15 minutes, and then dry the toe thoroughly with a towel. Once dry, apply an antiseptic ointment, and then wrap the toe in a bandage. Repeat this treatment daily with fresh bandages.
Furthermore, wear open-toed shoes and keep weight off the toe as much as possible during the healing process.
How to tell when it’s time to visit a podiatrist
If your ingrown toenail causes a great deal of pain, or if you notice swelling, redness, or discharge, you should make an appointment with us. These symptoms could be signs of an infection, which would need the prompt care of a podiatrist.
Furthermore, if your symptoms are mild but there’s no improvement after treating it at home for a few days, it still might be best to make an appointment with us.
At North Park Podiatry, our specialists can evaluate your ingrown toenail and discuss options to treat it. And after treatment, they can also discuss ways to help you avoid getting ingrown toenails in the future.
To seek treatment for an ingrown toenail or for any other foot-related concern, call 619-283-2097 or book an appointment online with North Park Podiatry today.