An ingrown toenail is when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin instead of over it frequently resulting in pain, discomfort, and potentially infection if left untreated. They can vary in severity from mild to more severe cases.
Ingrown Nail Treatment NYC
Ingrown Nail Treatment
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Pain to the affected area around the ingrown toenail and may be tender to the touch.
- Swelling and redness to the skin around the ingrown toenail, indicating inflammation.
- If bacteria enters the body through the skin near the ingrown nail, it can cause infection, discharge, increased pain, and severe swelling.
- The area around the ingrown toenail may feel warm or hot to the touch, indicating infection.
- Overgrowth of skin may occur to the skin on the affected toe where the overgrowth will form a raised, fleshy area called nail fold hypertrophy.
Ingrown toenails can develop for various reasons, including:
- Improper nail trimming
- Tight-fitting shoes
- Trauma
- Hereditary factors
Treatment for ingrown toenails can range from conservative measures, such as warm soaks and proper nail care, to more advanced interventions like nail trimming or partial nail removal performed by your podiatrist. Here’s how a podiatrist typically treats ingrown toenails:
1. Assessment and Diagnosis:
We will begin by examining your affected toe and asking about your symptoms. We will assess the severity and discuss with you the treatment options that will best meet your needs.
2. Conservative Treatment:
In mild cases of ingrown toenails we may suggest soaking the foot in warm water with Epsom salt or using over-the-counter topical antibiotic cream to prevent infection.
We will also advise you on risk factors such as properly trimming your toenails to prevent future ingrowth.
3. Nail Trimming:
If the ingrown toenail is more severe or recurrent, we will use specialized instruments to remove the ingrown edge of the toenail. We often use a topical anesthetic to numb the area.
4. Partial Nail Removal (Partial Nail Avulsion):
In some cases, when the ingrown nail is severe, we may recommend a partial nail removal procedure. During this procedure, the ingrown portion of the nail is removed and sometimes a part of the nail bed to prevent future ingrowth. The area is numbed beforehand to ensure minimal pain during the procedure.
5. Antibiotics:
If there is an infection we may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and prevent it from progressing.
6. Dressing and Aftercare:
After the procedure, your foot will be dressed with a sterile bandage and antibiotic ointment.
You will be advised to keep the area clean and wear open-toed shoes or sandals for a period to avoid putting pressure on the affected toe.
7. Follow-Up:
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to ensure that the ingrown toenail is healing properly and to monitor your progress.
It’s essential to follow post-treatment instructions carefully to minimize the risk of recurrence. If you have recurrent ingrown toenails or if you notice signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, pain, or pus discharge, you should contact us promptly for further evaluation and treatment.
