Ingrown toenails are quite common for many people, and are unfortunately quite painful and uncomfortable. Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates is here to help treat ingrown toenails and help prevent them from returning time and time again. Rather than trying to manage this condition yourself, schedule an appointment with the caring and qualified team at Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates and see how their services can help you live a more pain-free life.
When to Seek Medical Help for Your Ingrown Toenail
Many people spend countless years dealing with ingrown toenails, and if they find they can manage it without medical treatment, that is perfectly fine. The real issue is when the toenail becomes too painful to take care of on your own or begins to show signs of infection. The most common indicators include intense pain and swelling, redness, bleeding, pus, overgrowth of skin and possibly a fever. If any of these symptoms are present, then it is a good time to consult with a podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Associates. This is especially important for individuals with diabetes because patients with this condition often do not have feeling in their feet, which can lead to cutting the nail too short and causing excessive bleeding that the person is unaware of and can make the healing process much riskier.
Even if you are not experiencing a possible infection, sometimes an ingrown toenail is still very painful to deal with. The lightest pressure can easily begin to cause extreme discomfort, at which point cutting away at the skin can be a gut-wrenching experience. It is best to seek help from a podiatrist whenever you feel it is too painful to deal with your ingrown toenail on your own so they can properly tend to it. When an ingrown toenail is causing that much pain, it is often a sign that there is an underlying issue going on that needs to be addressed by a medical professional, so it is a good idea to schedule an appointment sooner than later.
The final reason to get professional help for your ingrown toenail is if the problem persists frequently and simply will not go away. Some of the most common causes of repeat ingrown toenails are shoes that don’t fit, improper toenail cutting and repetitive toe trauma. Trauma can occur at any point, though repetitive occurrences are typically seen in exercise habits or footwear that lends to gradual trauma to the toe. With external causes, changes can be made to help alleviate the return of painful ingrown toenails, though in some cases, genetics are the real culprit and cannot be modified. Regardless of the cause, a podiatrist can examine your toes and learn more about your lifestyle habits to help you find the root of the problem.
Treatment for Ingrown Toenails at Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates
Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates uses a few different treatment methods to help you manage your ingrown toenail. The most common way to treat an ingrown toenail is to numb the toe and cut away part of the nail to help remove the pain and pressure you are experiencing. In some cases, the podiatrist may use a splint to elevate the nail away from the skin in lieu of cutting it back. This can be coupled with an antibiotic in cases of infection or fungus to ensure your toenail can fully heal. These methods are the least invasive and typically only take about 10 to 15 minutes, so you can quickly and easily get back to your day. Your podiatrist can also make recommendations within your daily life to help you prevent and minimize the risk of ingrown toenails. The best ways to do this are with things like properly sized shoes, clean socks, and proper cleansing of the feet each day.
Not all toenails are created equal, so in some instances, these external changes and mild treatment methods may simply not be enough. For ingrown toenails that do not respond to these strategies, the podiatrist may recommend the full or partial removal of the nail itself to prevent any further pain or infection from developing. This procedure is still relatively straightforward and can be done in any of the Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates’ offices under local anesthesia. Every situation is different and requires individualized treatment, and each podiatrist takes the time to understand your situation and find the method that is going to work best for you.
Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates is Here to Help
If you are finding your ingrown toenail to be more difficult to deal with, it may be time to seek medical help. The team at Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates understands how to properly treat ingrown toenails for each and every client, and is ready to provide the essential care you need to live pain-free. Contact Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates today to schedule an appointment, or talk to your primary care physician about getting a referral to their office.
Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates
1220 W 1st St Ste B, Centralia,
360.508.3338
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