See a Podiatrist About Your Ingrown Toenails

A sign of an ingrown toenail is when the edges or corners of your nail start to grow into the skin surrounding the nail, causing discomfort. Dr. Tyson Fiala at Step Ahead Foot & Ankle, located in Kalispell, MT, can help treat your ingrown toenail to prevent further pain and complications.

Cause of Ingrown Toenails

You may be more prone to ingrown toenails if your feet are sweaty, or you're at an advanced age, and your toenails are thicker. Many other things can cause ingrown toenails, including:

  • Cutting toenails on an angle instead of straight across, allowing the nail to grow into the skin
  • Curved or irregular toenails
  • Injury to toenail
  • Ill-fitted footwear, socks, and stockings that place a lot of pressure on the big toes
  • Poor posture
  • Poor foot hygiene, like not keeping your feet clean and dry
  • Genetic predisposition of reoccurring ingrown toenails

If you live an active lifestyle or are an athlete, you are especially prone to ingrown toenails. The injury is seen especially in sports like soccer and ballet, where you frequently kick a ball or put pressure on your toes leading to toenail damage and an increased risk of ingrown toenails.

Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

The symptoms of ingrown toenails may start as mild discomfort but worsen as the ingrown toenail grows and goes untreated.

Some early signs to look for include:

  • The skin around the nail becoming swollen, tender, and hard
  • Pain at toe when pressure applied
  • Visible fluid build up around the toe

As it grows, the symptoms worsen because it becomes infected, and these more severe symptoms include:

  • Red, swollen skin
  • Bleeding
  • Pain
  • Oozing around the site of ingrown nail
  • Overgrown skin around the toe

With these symptoms, you will want to seek care from Dr. Fiala at Step Ahead Foot & Ankle, located in Kalispell, MT, to assess and treat your ingrown toenail as soon as possible.

Diagnosing Ingrown Toenails

When you visit Dr. Fiala for your appointment, he will most likely be able to diagnose an ingrown toenail with a simple physical exam. However, if the toe appears to be infected, he may need an X-ray to evaluate how deep the nail has grown into your skin and rule out any other injuries.

Treatment Options for Ingrown Toenails

If the ingrown toenail isn't infected, you can likely treat it at home by:

  • Soaking feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times a day, ensuring they have dried thoroughly after.
  • Gently pushing your skin away from the edge of the toenail with a cotton ball and olive oil
  • Applying a topical antibiotic, like Neosporin or steroid cream at the site of the ingrown toenail to prevent infection
  • Using over-the-counter medicines, like ibuprofen, to manage the pain

If treating at home for a few days doesn't help relieve the swelling and pain, you will need to see your doctor.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an ingrown toenail, please call Step Ahead Foot & Ankle, at their office in Kalispell, MT, at (406) 755-2818, and Dr. Fiala can help assess and provide the necessary treatment.

Our Location

40 Four Mile Drive Unit 8, Kalispell, MT, 59901

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed