Treating Your Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail can initially present itself as merely an unsightly and slightly painful problem, most often with your big toe. However, if left untreated, ingrown toenails can quickly become infected. When that happens, you need to seek professional treatment. Dr. Edward Orman, D.P.M. of Honeygo Podiatry in the Baltimore Metro Area will make sure you get the help you need.

When you should see a doctor

There are varying causes of ingrown toenails, from badly fitting shoes, to improperly cutting nails , to repetitive trauma, to various health issues such as obesity, arthritis, and diabetes. Although there are several self-treatment methods that you can try at home, if your ingrown toenail begins to show signs of infection (e.g. redness, swelling, yellow pus, pain, etc.) you should seek professional assistance from one of our Baltimore area offices.

Treatment

Treatments include a "slant back " procedure where the nail corner is cut back to afford temporary relief. If an infection is present, removing the entire side of the nail (referred to as nail avulsion) with I&D of any abscess if present. For permanent correction we can perform what's referred to as a partial matrixectomy (destroying the nail root so that side of the nail doesn't grow back) either one side of the nail or both sides if needed (usually only about 2-3 mm of the nail on either side is removed). We rarely have to remove the entire nail. Both the nail avulsion with or without I&D and matrixectomy are performed in the office under local anesthesia. Usually requiring one day of R&R but can take 2 weeks for complete healing. 

There is no other disability during the 2 weeks of healing. If you attempt to remove the ingrown nail yourself (referred to as "bathroom surgery"), it will likely get worse rather than better. Ingrown nail removal is one of the most rewarding procedures podiatrists perform as the ingrown nail is often very painful and the fix is easy with minimal risk or disability.

Need relief? Call one of our Baltimore Metro Area offices

Dr. Orman and his staff at Honeygo Podiatry are here to answer any and all of your concerns and questions on your ingrown toenail. To set up a consultation at our Perry Hall office, dial (410) 529-4141, and to contact our Fallston office, call (410) 877-3369.