Are your ingrown toenails getting worse? If so, it may be time to visit your Lincoln Park podiatrist, Dr. Warren Levy, for treatment.
What can I do about my ingrown toenails?
If you act as soon as you notice that your nail has begun to grow into your skin, you may be able to free your nail at home by following these steps:
- Soak your toe in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes. This step softens the skin and nails and makes it easier to remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
- Using dental floss or a small piece of dental cotton, lift the nail from the skin
- Keep floss or cotton under your nail until it's no longer in danger of growing into the skin (be sure to insert fresh cotton or floss every day).
You should also make sure to never force the nail. If you can't easily separate the nail from the skin, make an appointment with your Lincoln Park foot doctor.
How can a podiatrist help me?
A visit to the podiatrist is a must if you can't free your nail yourself, you have diabetes, or if your toe is infected. Infected nails may be swollen, painful, and surrounded by reddened skin.
During a minor in-office procedure, your foot doctor can remove the trapped portion of the nail. You'll then receive a local anesthetic before the procedure begins to ensure that you don't feel any pain.
What can I do to prevent ingrown toenails?
Making a minor change to your nail trimming technique may also help prevent future ingrown nails. Trimming your nails straight across instead of rounding will stop the edges from growing into your skin. Avoiding tight socks and shoes is also helpful. Any piece of clothing that presses against your toe can increase your risk of an ingrown nail.
Do you have ingrown nails and toenail fungus? The fungus tends to thicken nails, which can make them more likely to become ingrown. If drugstore products haven't cleared your nails, your podiatrist can recommend an effective treatment.
Give us a call!
Don't let your ingrown toenails keep you off your feet! Call your Lincoln Park, IL, podiatrist, Dr. Warren Levy, at (312) 266-6326 to schedule an appointment.