Ingrown toenails are extremely common, but that doesn’t make them any less uncomfortable or important to treat.
When left untreated, ingrown toenails can lead to troubling infections and other complications, especially in those with diabetes. At San Antonio Podiatry Associates, our podiatry specialists can help you treat your ingrown toenail before a simple problem becomes something more serious.
If you’re ready to find relief, schedule an appointment with us today!
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An ingrown toenail is a condition in which the corner or side of your nail grows into the skin and flesh beside it, resulting in redness and pain.
Ingrown toenails can be caused by a number of environmental factors, including:
If your toenails naturally have an unusual curve to them, you may be more prone to ingrown toenails.
In many cases, you may be able to address your ingrown toenail by yourself at home following these steps:
In any case, wearing open-toed shoes and taking over-the-counter pain relievers can help you stay comfortable and prevent further irritation while your toe is still healing.
If you are concerned about complications from your ingrown toenail, unsure whether you have an ingrown toenail, or home remedies are failing to relieve your symptoms, the podiatrists at San Antonio Podiatry Associates are happy to assess your condition. Your podiatrist may lift and splint your nail to help it grow over the skin. In severe cases (indicated by the presence of pus, exceptional redness and severe pain), your podiatrist may partially or fully remove the nail.
Ingrown toenails themselves are very common and easy to treat. However, if they are left to gather bacteria, they can fester into a more serious infection, sometimes deep enough to infect the bone. Those with diabetes and other conditions that affect blood flow to the lower extremities are especially vulnerable to complications of an ingrown toenail and should seek treatment as soon as possible.
