Ingrown Toenail

While common, ingrown toenails are often painful when left untreated. At Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP, located in Methuen, Massachusetts, board-certified podiatric surgeons and wound care specialists Nicholas A. Ciotola, DPM, Dennis Ryan, DPM, and the team accommodate people with infected ingrown toenails within 24 hours. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or use the online booking feature today.

What are ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails are common problems where the side of a toenail grows into the surrounding soft tissue. It can cause inflammation, pain, swelling, and infection when not treated. 

The condition often affects your big toe. If home remedies haven’t worked to reduce discomfort or you have signs of an infection, see your podiatrist for an evaluation. 

What are the symptoms of ingrown toenails?

The symptoms of ingrown toenails include:

• Tenderness
• Pain
• Swelling
• Inflammation
• Infection

Signs of an infection include warmth, redness, and sometimes pus or drainage. Seeking treatment early, particularly if you have diabetes, is the best way to avoid complications associated with an infected nail.

What are the risk factors for ingrown toenails?

While anyone can develop an ingrown toenail, its risk factors include:

• Toenail injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Cutting your toenails too short
• Not cutting your nails straight across
• Nail infections
• Diabetes
• Curved toenails
• Certain medical conditions
• Being a teenager
• Poor blood flow

If you have diabetes, complications associated with ingrown toenails may be more severe. 

Ways to reduce the risk of ingrown toenails include trimming your toenails straight across, keeping your nails at a moderate length, and protecting your feet with appropriate footwear.

Check your feet regularly for signs of injury if you have diabetes. Choose shoes that fit comfortably and aren’t too tight. 

How does my podiatrist diagnose ingrown toenails?

To determine if you have ingrown toenails, the Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP team discusses your symptoms and medical history. They examine your toenails and surrounding skin to detect or rule out specific problems. Your podiatrist also looks for signs of infection and diabetes-related foot issues.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

Your Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP provider may recommend one or more of the following treatments for an ingrown toenail based on its severity:

• Soaking your feet in warm soapy water
• Altering your footwear
• Lifting the affected nail with a splint
• Taping the nail
• Partially removing an ingrown toenail
• Removing the entire nail and some surrounding tissue

Before completing a surgical procedure, your specialist first cleans and numbs the treatment area to ensure you avoid discomfort. They may remove ingrown toenails using a laser, chemicals, excision, or other methods.

The Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP team tailors each treatment to ensure outstanding results and minimize the risk of complications. 

Schedule an appointment at Methuen Podiatry Associates LLP by calling the office or booking one online today.