Ingrown toenails are serious business.
They occur when the sides or top of the nail grow into skin of the nail. It is usually seen on the sides of the big toes. When this happens the area around the nail gets red and painful and sometimes gets infected.
The infection is caused when there is a break in the skin and bacteria gets in causing an infection.
Infected Ingrown toenail
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
Heredity: The way your nails grow can come from your family tree
Injury: If you drop something on your toe that may affect how it grows, or sometimes if exercise the same way the repetition can cause the nail to become ingrown
Cutting your nails wrong: This is the most common reason for ingrown toenail. When you trim your nails it should be straight across, if you cut they at an angle or too short that can cause an ingrown toenail
Wrong size shoes: If your shoes are too narrow or too short that will cause an ingrown toenail
These shoes are so pointy they could cause an ingrown toenail!
Fungus: Ingrown toenails can be caused by a fungus that is not treated
Treatment of Ingrown Toenails
How do I know when to be treated by the Podiatrist for my ingrown toenails?
Any one who has an infected ingrown toenail should call us for an appointment as soon as possible. An ingrown toenail is serious business, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation. You should call for an emergency appointment right away. Waiting to see if the infection goes away by itself could lead to a loss of your toe!
If you don’t have any other health issues you can soak your toe in Epsom salt and see if that helps to alleviate the ingrown toenail. Don’t dig at it to try and get it out, that can lead to an infected ingrown toenail.
If your symptoms don’t improve it’s time to come in and let us take a look at it. We will give you different options in how to treat it. Some are temporary and some are permanent. Most people opt for the second option so they don’t have to keep on dealing with ingrown toenails.
If you or any one you know is having trouble with ingrown toenails, give our office a call at (845) 298-9074. At Hollowbrook Foot Specialist, Dr Schlam wants you to get back to doing the activities that you love.
by David Schlam
