What is an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin. This often results in pain, swelling and even infection. Common causes include wearing tight shoes, improper nail trimming or trauma to the toe.
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How Do You Get an Ingrown Toenail?
Ingrown toenails develop when the nail presses into or pierces the adjacent skin. The body reacts to this intrusion with inflammation, causing redness, tenderness and swelling.
Over time, the area can become infected, resulting in pus drainage and increased pain.
Preventing ingrown toenails involves protecting the toes from injury, wearing shoes with adequate room and trimming nails straight across without rounding the corners. Keeping feet clean and dry also reduces the risk of infection.
Ingrown Toenail Symptoms
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail may include:
- Pain and tenderness at the corner of the nail
- Redness and swelling
- Hardening of the surrounding skin
- Possible infection with pus
- Discomfort while wearing shoes or walking
- Any pressure down on the toenails
Ingrown Toenail Treatment
Treatment includes soaking your foot in warm water and Epsom salt 3–4 times daily, wearing comfortable shoes with adequate room for toes and taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief if needed. Dress the area with Neosporin and a bandaid.
For more severe or recurrent ingrown toenails in office, surgical options would include partial or total nail removal to remove the problematic nail borders to help resolve the pain and infection.
Treat Ingrown Toenails at OrthoNebraska
Looking for relief from painful ingrown toenails in the Omaha area? At OrthoNebraska, we want to make sure that our patients feel understood, safe and confident to take on an appropriate treatment plan. With proper management, we can help you reduce pain levels and improve quality of life.
