The feet are the base of our musculoskeletal system and they need to be healthy to support our bodies when walking and running or performing any other activity that requires you to be on your feet. Ingrown toenails are one issue that can disrupt this functioning. This condition causes pain and discomfort but the good news is that they are generally easily treated and preventable. Dr. Supreet Ghuman from Prairie Foot & Ankle is skilled at treating ingrown toenails in Elgin, IL & Chicago, IL.
What are ingrown toenails and what causes them?
Ingrown toenails can occur on any toe. They happen when your toenail is digging into the skin of your toe. This usually happens at the sides and corners of your toenail. The main cause of developing an ingrown toenail is wearing shoes that do not fit well. Some other causes may be:
- Improperly clipping toenails
- Trauma to the foot, such as stubbing the toe or something falling on your foot
- Tearing of a toenail
- Conditions that you were born with may predispose you to develop ingrown toenails such as a deformity of the foot or being born with nails that grow to larger sizes than the toe underneath is meant to accommodate.
What are some symptoms of ingrown toenails?
Predominantly, they will cause pain. At first, you may experience a hard and swollen area around the misfit toenail which can lead to infection if not properly treated. Some other symptoms to look out for are:
- Noticing pus seeping from the area
- Redness or other discoloration
- A feeling of warmth along with swelling of the toe
What are treatments for ingrown toenails?
The treatment option recommended for ingrown toenails in Elgin, IL & Chicago, IL will depend on the severity. Most ingrown toenails caught in the early stages can be treated at home. For more severe cases, minor surgical intervention may be necessary to remove a part of the nail. But most cases of ingrown toenails will not become severe because once the toenail begins to dig into the surrounding skin, you will feel pain, prompting you to take action. However, if you have diabetes or other conditions that may cause nerve damage or affect circulation, you need to see a podiatrist. Some conservative measures that help ingrown toenails are:
- Wearing shoes that are spacious in the toe area.
- Soak your feet in warm water several times a day, particularly before clipping your toenails.
- Clean your nail clipper before using it.
- Taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and Tylenol to help with pain and swelling
- If you have diabetes, practice proper foot care recommended by your doctor.
- Call your health care provider if symptoms don't go away in a matter of days.
Contact us
Dr. Ghuman from Prairie Foot & Ankle wants to get your feet back to their optimal health as quickly as possible. Schedule a consultation to treat ingrown toenails in Elgin, IL & Chicago, IL by calling (224) 227-6973.