How to Prevent and Treat Ingrown Toenails

How to Prevent and Treat Ingrown Toenails

Your feet bear the brunt of your body weight all day, and provide a solid foundation to stand on. So when something causes you pain and discomfort in your feet, you feel it big-time.. Ingrown toenails are one of the most common conditions that may have you searching for quick relief.

Board Certified Podiatrists Eric S. Harmelin and Rikhil Patel, DPM of Annapolis Foot and Ankle Center, offer the following overview on how to treat and prevent ingrown toenails.

Causes of ingrown toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when the nail on your toe grows into the side of your toe. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

If not taken care of, ingrown toenails can become infected. There are many causes of this condition, some you can control and some you can’t. Common causes of ingrown toenails are:

Ingrown toenails can also be caused by medical conditions such as diabetes. Diabetes can cause poor circulation to your legs and feet, sometimes making you unaware of injuries or pain from an ingrown toenail.

Treatment options 

Regardless of the cause, if you’re suffering from an ingrown toenail you want immediate relief. You can do some things at home to help ease the pain. Home remedies include:

If your ingrown toenail doesn’t get better with home treatment, or you notice signs of infection, make an appointment with one of the experts at Annapolis Foot and Ankle Center. They can help wipe out your infection and offer permanent treatment of recurring ingrown nails.

Your podiatrist will remove the edge of the nail that continues to grow incorrectly. This is called a matrixectomy, and can be done right in our office. When you’ve been dealing with pain and discomfort, this may be the perfect solution.

How to prevent ingrown toenails

You don’t have to just hope that your ingrown nails won’t come back, even with treatment. There are some things you can do to help prevent ingrown toenails from reoccurring. Here are a few prevention tips to follow:

Following these simple tips will significantly decrease your ingrown toenail from returning.

For bothersome ingrown toenails, and all your foot care needs, call any of our offices or request an appointment online today. We have three convenient locations located in Annapolis, Stevensville, and Glen Burnie, Maryland. 

You Might Also Enjoy...

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis and How We Treat It

Plantar fasciitis is notorious for causing stabbing foot pain that makes it hard to walk comfortably. Understanding what causes it 一and, most importantly, how to treat it 一 are essential in finding the relief you deserve.

When Does Hammertoe Require Surgery?

When you first develop hammertoe, conservative treatments often relieve your pain and restore the toe’s normal shape. Left untreated, however, it’s likely to progressively worsen, eventually reaching a stage where surgery is necessary.