Find out how to treat an ingrown toenail and prevent it from happening in the future.
While ingrown toenails can be a nuisance and rather uncomfortable, for most healthy individuals, the problem will go away on its own as long as proper foot care is practiced. Of course, sometimes complications can arise, so it’s important to know when it’s time to see our Salem, OR, foot doctors, Dr. James Lisle, Dr. Lee Poston, and Dr. Trevor Tippets for medical attention. Read on to learn more!
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail most often affects the nail of the big toe and causes the edge of the nail to grow into the skin, resulting in swelling, pain, and redness under and around the nail.
How is an ingrown toenail treated?
Most healthy individuals can ease swelling and pain with simple at-home remedies. Some of these remedies include,
- Soaking feet in warm water several times a day
- Placing a piece of cotton under the nail to lift it away from the skin
- Applying an antibiotic cream around the toenail to prevent infection
- Taking OTC anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen) to alleviate pain and discomfort
- Wearing open-toed shoes that won’t put pressure on the affected nail
If you have a persistent ingrown toenail that isn’t responding to at-home care, have diabetes/circulation problems in the feet, or if you are experiencing infection symptoms, then it’s important that you turn to your local foot doctor in Salem, OR, for care. During an appointment, your foot doctor may lift the nail away from the skin so that it can grow in properly. In other cases, partial or complete removal of the nail may be necessary.
How can I prevent an ingrown toenail from happening?
There are simple habits you can adopt to prevent an ingrown toenail. Here is some good advice to follow,
- Don’t trim nails too short (they should be even with the tips of the toes)
- Trim nails straight across and do not round the corners
- Wear shoes that give your toes room to wiggle and move around
- If you regularly play sports, wear protective shoes in order to prevent toe injuries
Concerned? Give us a call
If you are dealing with persistent ingrown toenail issues in Salem, OR, and want to find out what’s going on, call our office today at (503) 588-8188 to set up an evaluation.