Preventing Ingrown Toenail Formation

Preventing Ingrown Toenail Formation

Typically, an ingrown toenail occurs on one of the big toes. The side or upper edge of the nail embeds itself in the surrounding skin, causing swelling, inflammation, and pain. Dr. Brandon James and Dr. Sara James are podiatrists at the Foot and Ankle Surgery of New Braunfels in New Braunfels, TX. They specialize in ingrown toenails.

Treating your Ingrown Toenail at Home

If you think you have an ingrown toenail, soak your foot in a bowl of warm saltwater. After soaking, make sure you dry your feet very carefully, especially between your toes. Apply some antiseptic to the affected toe and wrap it in a bandage.

Do not try to remove any part of the nail if it has become infected. If you see bleeding, pus or notice an unpleasant smell coming from the affected toe you should see a podiatrist.

If you suffer from diabetes, you should not try to treat an ingrown toenail at home. You should seek medical advice immediately.

How your New Braunfels Podiatrist Can Help 

Your podiatrist can ease the discomfort of an ingrown toenail by removing the part of the nail that has grown into the skin. They may also prescribe an oral or topical medication to prevent infection or if there are any signs of fungus in the nail.

How To Prevent Ingrown Toenails

You can minimize your risk on ingrown toenails by:

  • Trimming them correctly, with a straight, even edge
  • Not letting your nails grow longer than the tips of your toes
  • Using proper toenail clippers
  • Not cutting off the corners of your toenails
  • Wearing comfortable shoes with a big enough toe-box

Ingrown toenails can cause discomfort when walking and wearing shoes. The best thing to do if you think you have one is to call a podiatrist.

If you are looking for a New Braunfels podiatrist, call Dr. James on (830) 387-4427 to schedule an appointment.

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