Ingrown toenails occur when the edges or corners of your nails grow into the skin next to the nail. This punctures the skin and can cause it to become infected, inflamed and very painful.
It can be caused by poor cutting technique, poor fitting shoes, trauma to the nail or just the way your nails are shaped.
Treatment can be as simple as removing the offending piece of nail that is digging into your skin. Sometimes, however, your podiatrist will need to numb your toe and then surgically remove the problematic portion of the toenail. This can be done in the podiatry rooms with an extended appointment time. Antibiotics may or may not be required depending if the site is infected.
Recovery is usually managed within a week with the correct care and precautions advised by your podiatrist. The podiatrist will then assess your nail and advise when you can return to sport and specific shoes.
An ingrown toenail and its surgical removal is a very common condition regularly treated by podiatrists. It is a highly successful and effective treatment for preventing future ingrown toenails.
You have an ingrown toenail if a corner digs into and punctures the adjacent skin. The condition could cause the toe to become inflamed, infected, and extremely painful. The problem may have occurred due to how your nails are naturally shaped or because of trauma. Make an appointment and get the relief you need sooner rather than later.
Ingrown toenails may grow out and heal on their own in some cases, but not always. Sufferers may experience complications if they do not get treatment for this common condition. The ingrown toenail may become infected or inflamed, leading to a fever and worsening pain. The bacteria may even spread to the bone beneath the nail.
You have already tried home treatment options such as soaking your feet in warm, salty water for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times a day. You have followed mum’s advice and applied antibiotic cream, bandaged the toe, and taken over-the-counter pain medication.