Causes of Ingrown Toenails

Dr. Keith RosenthalDr. Keith RosenthalIs your ingrown nail a real nuisance or is it just too painful to handle anymore? Dr. Keith Rosenthal of The Foot and Ankle Center, with locations in Brick and Jackson, NJ, can help you!

Causes of Ingrown Nails:

• Someone not trimming toenails properly, like too short, especially the big toes
• If you decide to wear shoes that are too tight or short, resulting in crowded toes
• Repeated trauma or injury to your feet or fungus infections
• Heredity or poor foot structure

What is an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toenails, which are also known as onychocryptosis, are when your toenails penetrate the skin in the corners or sides of your feet, which may result in infection. Ingrown toenails may be hard, swollen, and tender in the beginning, but if you don't get them looked at by your podiatrist, your toes may become sore, red, and infected. Your skin may even start growing over the ingrown toenail.

Treatment:

Treating ingrown toenails can be a simple fix:

• Soak the foot in warm and soapy water several times a day and try to keep your feet clean.
• Wear shoes that give your toes more space to move and try to avoid socks.
• Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if there is an infection.
• If your ingrown toenail is suffering from an acute infection, the surgical removal of part of the ingrown toenail may be needed. The procedure is known as partial nail plate avulsion. Your doctor will inject your toenail with an anesthetic and cut out the ingrown part.

For more information on ingrown toenails contact Dr. Keith Rosenthal at The Foot and Ankle Centers of Brick and Jackson by calling today! Your health is a priority. For the Jackson office, 732 833 2800. For the Brick office, 732 477 0441.