Ingrown Toenails
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Foot and Ankle Clinic of MidFlorida
Foot and Ankle Surgeon & Podiatrist located in Sebring, FL
Ingrown toenails don’t have to leave you with foot pain. For treatment for existing ingrown toenails and guidance on avoiding new ones in the future, contact Paul Ebanks DPM, FACFAS and the team at Foot and Ankle Center of MidFlorida, located in Sebring, Florida. Get started by calling our office today or scheduling your ingrown toenail treatment appointment online.
Ingrown Toenails Q & A
What are ingrown toenails?
When the outside edge of your toenail curves down, pressing into your skin as it grows, it’s called an ingrown toenail. Your skin may even start to grow over the ingrown toenail, causing more discomfort.
Ingrown toenails can be caused by several factors, including:
- Wearing shoes that are too tight
- Trimming your toenails too short
- Toe injury
- Fungal infections
- Problems with the structure of your foot
In its early phases, your ingrown toenail causes redness and tenderness in the area. As it advances, the ingrown toenail becomes more painful and can cause infection. The surrounding skin may start to grow over the toenail, making it more challenging to treat.
If you notice an ingrown toenail, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Foot and Ankle Center of MidFlorida so they can help you correct the toenail’s growth and avoid foot pain.
How are ingrown toenails treated?
If your ingrown toenail is caught early, home care — including regularly soaking the foot and avoiding tight shoes and socks — is usually effective in reversing the problem. But if your ingrown toenail is advanced, your Foot and Ankle Center of MidFlorida provider can perform a partial nail plate avulsion. During this procedure, your toe is numbed and the portion of your nail that has grown into your toe is removed.
The Foot and Ankle Center of MidFlorida team also prescribes an antibiotic if your ingrown toenail has caused a bacterial infection. Fighting that infection allows your toe to heal faster.
How can I prevent ingrown toenails?
Recurring ingrown toenails are a sign that your feet need a change. To avoid ingrown toenails in the future, avoid clipping your toenails too short. When you do trim them, cut them straight across the top instead of giving them rounded corners. Otherwise, those corners can grow down into your nail bed, forming an ingrown toenail. Also, don’t wear shoes or socks that feel too tight. Finally, clean your feet regularly to avoid infections.
If you’re currently living with an ingrown toenail, don’t hesitate to contact the Foot and Ankle Center of MidFlorida. Get started with your ingrown toenail treatment by calling the office nearest you or by booking an appointment online today.
