An ingrown toenail occurs when the top corner of a toenail curls downward and grows into your skin. This common problem usually affects your big toe and can happen when your nail is cut too short or trimmed to match the shape of your toe.
An ingrown toenail may appear hard, swollen, and tender to the touch. Without proper care, it can become infected and turn into a painful and long-term problem that makes it difficult to wear shoes or walk without pain.
Our expert podiatrists at Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists in State College, Pennsylvania, treat ingrown toenails. Andrew Bernhard, DPM, and Kaitlyn Bernhard, DPM, discuss the details of this common foot ailment, as well as when professional treatment is required.
When the side, top, or corner of a toenail grows downward into the adjacent nail groove or the soft skin along the outer borders of your nail bed, it becomes ingrown. Alternatively, normal toenail growth follows the grooves of your nail without curving down or inward.
A variety of factors can contribute to the development of an ingrown toenail, including:
Ingrown toenails most commonly affect the big toe, but they can affect any toe.
An ingrown toenail is a minor irritant when it first appears. It may look swollen and cause a tingling sensation when you accidentally bump it, but it isn't painful and has no effect on your ability to walk.
Applying self-care treatments at home at this point can help your ingrown toenail heal on its own. These steps can help you feel better and avoid infection:
If you have diabetes, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or any other chronic health condition that causes poor circulation or reduced sensation in your feet, you should seek professional help from our team as soon as you notice an ingrown toenail, no matter how minor.
As diabetic foot pain specialists, we can ensure that a relatively benign ingrown toenail doesn’t turn into an infection that puts your health at risk.
One of the most common foot problems we see at Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists is ingrown toenails. In fact, they account for a significant portion of podiatry office visits in the United States.
So, how do you know when it's time to see a doctor about your ingrown toenail?
If self-care hasn't worked or your ingrown toenail is getting worse, it's time to make an appointment with our team. When your nail grows into the skin or the skin grows over your nail edge, bacteria can enter your nail bed. The following are symptoms of an infected toenail:
An infection in your nail bed can lead to an infection or abscess in your toe that requires surgical intervention if left untreated for too long. It can also spread to the bone of the affected toe.
Less severe ingrown toenails can usually be treated with careful professional trimming and the placement of a tiny piece of gauze between your nail and the nail groove. That encourages your nail to grow parallel to the skin rather than into it.
If your ingrown nail does not heal or returns, surgical treatment may be required. The minor in-office procedure involves removing the ingrown part of your nail (partial nail avulsion) as well as a small area of skin that's contributing to the problem using a local anesthetic. Your entire nail may need to be removed in some cases.
In 2-4 months, your nail should regrow. In the meantime, the infection in your nail bed will be treated with an oral or topical antibiotic. If you're prone to ingrown toenails, our team can discuss prevention options to help lower your long-term risk.
If you need help with an ingrown toenail, contact Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced podiatrists. Call us right now at 814-831-7565, or request an appointment online.
