What is an ingrown toenail?

Have you ever had pain, redness, swelling on one side or both of a big toenail? That’s because the nail has become ingrown and infected. There is usually a sharp toenail edge that has pierced the skin of your toe and the bacteria that live on our skin and don’t bother us, now have an entry point through which they can cause an infection.  Many people suffer from ingrown toenails. We see at least two patients with this problem daily, and pain relief is almost immediate.

Causes:

• shoes with a narrow toe box
• aggressive pedicures
• improper self trimming of toenails
• repetitive trauma (usually from stubbing toe on furniture or playing sports)

Home Remedies:

• 20 minute warm water foot soaks with Epsom salt
• antibiotic creams
• removal of the narrow shoe

When to Visit a Podiatrist

If you have an ingrown toenail and you’ve tried warm water foot soaks with Epsom salt, an antibiotic cream, and have stopped wearing the shoe that may have caused the issue, and the ingrowing toenail is still bothering you, then you should visit our office for removal of the ingrown toenail.  You may need antibiotics, especially if you have developed cellulitis from having the ingrown toenail for a long time. In any case, we’ll provide pain relief and remove the ingrown toenail, after which the majority of people are back to their regular activities the very next day.

If you are ready to get treatment and pain relief for your ingrown toenail, give our office a call at (845) 218-7965.

Hollowbrook Foot Specialist serving the Hudson Valley from Wappingers Falls, NY.