Ingrown Toenails Specialist

What’s an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of your nail grows into the skin nearby. This causes inflammation and irritation, along with serious discomfort or pain. Ingrown toenails usually occur in big toes, and typically affect only one nail border. 

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toenail symptoms change as the problem develops. 

Stage I

Stage I ingrown toenails cause skin redness and swelling. You may have some soreness and discomfort, which worsens if you touch or apply pressure to the nail.

Stage II

Stage II ingrown toenails cause increased symptoms, including intensifying pain and pus drainage from the nail border. In stage II, new skin often starts growing at the border of the nail. 

Stage III

Stage III ingrown toenails have granulation tissue, new skin that envelops the nail border. This encourages infection, which leads to worsening symptoms that can spread throughout your toe. 

Because symptoms are progressive, it’s important to treat an ingrown toenail in its early stages. 

What causes ingrown toenails?

Some of the main causes of ingrown toenails are:

• Rounding nails when you trim them
• Wearing tight shoes 
• Repeat foot trauma, such as playing soccer or ballet dancing
• Heredity

Fortunately, you can prevent most ingrown toenails by taking a few precautions, like trimming your nails in a straight line and wearing well-fitted shoes.

How do podiatrists treat ingrown toenails?

Dr. Wachtler uses a gentle touch to relieve your ingrown toenail symptoms during your first visit. Your treatment typically includes nail border trimming or removal. Dr. Wachtler numbs the treatment area to make sure it’s not painful. 

You may also need topical ointment to encourage healing. If you have a severely infected toenail, you may also need oral antibiotics.

If you have a recurring ingrown toenail, your nail plate might simply be too big for your toe. Dr. Wachtler can remove the nail border and treat the nail root with a special chemical that prevents nail regrowth in that area. You then have a newly narrowed nail that doesn’t grow into your skin.

You don’t have to suffer from ingrown toenails anymore. Get immediate help at Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists by calling the office or using the online scheduling tool.