You might be surprised to discover what can cause ingrown toenails.
Are you someone who deals with ingrown toenails? If so, you may currently be researching why you keep dealing with this pesky and sometimes painful nail problem. An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a toenail, typically the nail of the big toe, grows into the skin. If ingrown toenails keep happening to you, you may want to turn to our Oviedo, FL, podiatrists Dr. Timothy Mason, Dr. Jason Hancock, and Dr. Travis Johnson for answers and treatment. Common causes of an ingrown toenail include,
- Wearing tight-fitted shoes that don’t give your toes room to move around
- Trimming your toenails too short or at a curve rather than straight across
- Trauma to the toenail
- Having naturally curved toenails
If you have a true ingrown toenail then you may be experiencing any of these symptoms,
- Pain or discomfort near the toe, particularly on the sides of the infected nail
- Redness around the toenail
- Potential swelling or tenderness of the toenail
- The edge of the nail is piercing the skin
When should you visit our Oviedo, FL, foot doctors for your ingrown toenail?
If you notice pus, redness that has spread past your toenail or you are experiencing severe toe pain then it’s time to see us right away. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, nerve damage in your feet, or poor circulation then you also need to seek treatment right away to prevent an infection or other serious complications from setting in.
However, you’ll be happy to hear that most ingrown toenails can be treated effectively from the comfort of your own home. You can soak your feet in warm water several times a day for up to 20 minutes at a time. This can help to target pain and swelling.
You can also try using an over-the-counter pain reliever to help temporarily alleviate your toe pain. During this time it’s also important that you choose the best footwear. This means shoes that give your toes room to wiggle and move. If shoes bunch up your toes then you shouldn’t wear them.
If at-home treatments don’t help with relieving your ingrown toenail symptoms then we may recommend more aggressive treatment options. In severe cases, the nail may need to be partially or completely removed.
Foot & Ankle Specialists of Orlando is your one-stop shop in Oviedo, FL, for all of your foot and ankle health needs, from ingrown toenail treatment to bunions and heel pain. To schedule an appointment with our podiatrists, call our practice at (407) 365-9511.