The toes are so important in our everyday life. You may not think of them often other than whether they look bad and need a clipping or pedicure. Well, ingrown toenails have the potential to make your feet look extremely unsightly, so it's wise to know about preventing ingrown toenails and treating them. This condition can cause significant pain and discomfort but it is usually easily treated and preventable. Our team of skilled podiatrists treats ingrown toenails often in Fredericksburg, and Stafford, VA.

What Are Ingrown Toenails and What Causes Them?

Ingrown toenails occur when your toenail digs into the skin surrounding the nailbed, at the sides and corners of your toenail. It can happen to any toe. Ill-fitting shoes are the main cause of developing ingrown toenails, but other causes exist, such as:

  • Improperly clipping toenails
  • Stubbing a toe, or another form of trauma, such as dropping an object on your foot
  • Tearing of a toenail
  • Congenital conditions may increase your risk of developing ingrown toenails. Examples are a deformity of the foot or having been born with toenails that are too big for the toe itself.

What Are Some Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails?

Mostly, they cause pain and discomfort. This condition may initially cause a hard and swollen area of the skin surrounding the deviant toenail, which will lead to infection if not treated as soon as possible. Other symptoms to watch for are:

  • Pus seeping from the area
  • Redness or other discoloration of the surrounding skin
  • A feeling of warmth along with swelling of the toe

What Are Treatments for Ingrown Toenails?

The treatment option recommended for ingrown toenails depends on severity. Often, ingrown toenails caught earlier can be treated effectively at home. More severe cases may require minor surgical intervention. It may be necessary to remove a part of the nail.

But because you will feel pain as soon as the toenail begins to dig into the surrounding skin, you will hopefully address it before it can cause severe damage. However, if you have a condition that causes nerve damage or affects circulation like diabetes, you need to see a podiatrist ASAP. Conservative measures that help ingrown toenails are:

  • Wearing shoes that are roomy in the toe area.
  • Soaking feet in warm water several times a day, especially right before clipping your toenails.
  • Cleaning your nail clipper before each use.
  • Taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and Tylenol to help with pain and swelling
  • Practice proper foot care recommended by your doctor if you have diabetes.
  • Calling your doctor if symptoms don't go away after a few days.

Contact Us

Our podiatry team from Rappahannock Foot & Ankle Specialists wants you to have pretty and painless feet! Schedule a consultation to treat ingrown toenails at our Fredericksburg, VA office by calling (540) 371-2724 or our Stafford location at (540) 720-0674.