Are You Struggling with Ingrown Toenails?

Do you get ingrown toenails often? If so, find out why this might be happening to you.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the skin. While this most commonly occurs in the big toe, any toenail can be affected. As you might imagine, this condition can be rather painful and lead to redness and tenderness of the foot. So, what should you do if you have an ingrown toenail and when should you turn to Dr. Timothy Mason and Dr. Jason Hancock, your podiatrists in Lake Mary, Oviedo, and Orlando, FL? Read on to find the answers.

At-Home Care

If you are a healthy individual who hasn’t been diagnosed with diabetes or poor circulation in your feet, then you will most likely be able to manage your symptoms on your own. However, if you have diabetes or poor circulation, you should immediately turn to a foot doctor if you are experiencing any changes in your feet. Even small problems such as an ingrown toenail or swelling can lead to serious complications.

Common remedies and at-home care include,

• Soaking the feet for 15-20 minutes in warm water a few times a day
• Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen
• Wearing shoes and socks that don’t put pressure on the affected toenail
• Placing a piece of cotton under the edge of the nail to lift it away from the skin

Seeing a Doctor

If you notice that your symptoms aren’t responding to at-home care, it is the time to see a doctor. Additionally, you should also see a podiatrist for your ingrown toenail if you are noticing symptoms of infection. Signs and symptoms of an infection include:

• Significant and persistent pain
• Bleeding
• A pus-filled blister
• Redness
• Skin that is hard, swollen and tender around the nail

Sometimes our foot doctor will also need to remove part of the nail that is digging into the skin. Cotton may be placed under the nail as it grows back in to prevent the problem from happening again.

Call Us

Foot & Ankle Specialists of Orlando want to make sure that you are getting the proper foot care you need. If ingrown toenails are becoming a regular occurrence, or if you are dealing with other issues that affect your feet or ankles, then call one of our offices in Lake Mary, Oviedo, or Orlando, FL, today for immediate care—each location can be reached at 407-365-9511.