What exactly is an Ingrowing toe nail?
An ingrowing toenail, also known as an ingrown toenail, occurs when the edge or corner of a toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe. This condition often affects the big toe and can cause significant discomfort. Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection around the affected area.
What causes an Ingrowing Toe Nail?
Ingrowing toenails can result from various factors, such as improper nail trimming, wearing tight shoes, or sustaining toe injuries. If left untreated, they can lead to more severe complications, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions like diabetes
Benefits of Treatment:
Pain Relief: Treatment for an ingrowing toenail alleviates the pain and discomfort, allowing you to walk and perform daily activities without distress.
Prevention of Infection: Early treatment of an ingrowing toenail prevents infections, which can lead to more severe complications if left untreated.
Reduced Swelling and Redness: Treatment reduces swelling and redness around the ingrowing toenail, promoting faster healing.
Improved Nail Growth: Techniques guide the ingrowing toenail to grow correctly, preventing future occurrences.
Enhanced Mobility: Reduced pain and swelling from an ingrowing toenail improve your mobility and overall quality of life.
Prevention of Recurrence: Professional treatment addresses the underlying causes of ingrowing toenails, reducing the likelihood of recurrence.
How we treat Ingrowing Toenails:
Partial Nail Resection: The podiatrist can numb the toe with a local anesthetic to ensure the procedure is painless. They will then carefully trim or remove the ingrown portion of the nail. This helps to relieve pressure and pain caused by the ingrowing toenail.
Antibiotic Treatment: Our Podiatry team prescribe antibiotics to prevent or treat any infection. This is especially important if there was an existing infection or if the area is at high risk of becoming infected.
Nail Surgery: In some cases, the podiatrist may also remove a portion of the nail matrix (the tissue under the nail that produces the nail) to prevent that part of the nail from growing back. This is often done if the ingrowing toenail is a recurrent problem.