When it comes to foot and toe health, one of the most common conditions that patients experience is an ingrown toenail. In addition to being painful, an ingrown toenail can also cause an infection and threaten your overall foot health without early treatment. Don't ignore this seemingly minor foot issue and allow it to become a more major concern. See Dr. Larry Goldstein at Warner Robins Foot and Ankle in Warner Robins, GA, for help with ingrown toenails.
Ingrown Toenail Causes
Healthy, regularly trimmed nails grow forward over the nail bed without making contact with the skin. An ingrown toenail instead pushes into the skin and as it grows it begins to cut into the flesh. Ingrown toenails are caused by cutting the nails too low or too deeply at the corners.
Risks of Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are more than just a minor inconvenience or aesthetic concern. They can create these risks for your feet:
- Skin infections.
- Intense discomfort when walking.
- Inability to wear certain types of shoes, like high heels or hard-toed boots
- The toes are more likely to develop toenail fungus.
- In an advanced case, you may need surgery or excision by a professional to safely remove the nail.
When To See a Podiatrist
Though ingrown toenails can often be resolved at home, there are cases when you might need help from your Warner Robins, GA, podiatrist. These are cases when you should schedule an appointment for an ingrown toenail:
- The toenail continues pushing into the skin even after it is clipped.
- Red, irritated, and inflamed skin.
- Bleeding or the skin around the nails begins to look darker or black in color.
- You frequently have problems with ingrown toenails to the point where it is a chronic foot condition.
Keep Your Toes and Feet Healthy
One of the many good things about having a podiatrist who you can trust is being able to have smaller foot care matters handled before they can become more serious. If you are having a persistent issue with ingrown toenails, call (478) 328-2008 to schedule a visit with Dr. Larry Goldstein at Warner Robins Foot and Ankle in Warner Robins, GA.