Ingrown toenails can be a painful and frustrating condition. They occur when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing redness, swelling, and discomfort. While they can be a minor annoyance for some, ingrown toenails can become infected and lead to more serious complications.
At Instep Podiatry in Salisbury, Goolwa and Balaklava, our experienced podiatrists are experts in providing effective treatment for ingrown toenails. In this blog, we’ll discuss the causes, prevention, and treatment of ingrown toenails.
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
Several factors can contribute to the development of ingrown toenails, including:
- Improper nail trimming: Cutting toenails too short or rounding the corners can increase the risk of ingrown toenails.
- Tight-fitting shoes: Wearing shoes that are too narrow or tight can put pressure on the toes and force the nail to grow into the skin.
- Trauma: Injuries to the toes, such as stubbing them or having an object fall on them, can increase the risk of ingrown toenails.
- Thickened nails: Thickened nails, often caused by fungal infections or other conditions, can be more prone to becoming ingrown.
Prevention of Ingrown Toenails
While it may not always be possible to prevent ingrown toenails entirely, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Proper nail trimming: Cut your toenails straight across and avoid rounding the corners.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Choose shoes that fit well and provide ample toe room.
- Avoid trauma: Protect your toes from injuries.
- Address underlying conditions: If you have thickened nails or other conditions that increase your risk of ingrown toenails, seek treatment from a podiatrist.
Treatment of Ingrown Toenails by Podiatrists
If you have an ingrown toenail, it’s important to seek professional care from a podiatrist. They can properly diagnose the condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Common treatments for ingrown toenails include:
- Partial nail avulsion: This involves removing a small portion of the ingrown nail to allow the skin to heal.
- Fungal nail treatment: If a fungal infection is causing thickened nails, appropriate treatment can help reduce the risk of ingrown toenails.
- Surgery: Our podiatrists treat ingrowing toenails often and very successfully with a procedure known as a Nail Wedge Resection. This in-room simple surgery is performed under local anaesthetic and takes only 40 minutes.
Contact Instep Podiatry
At Instep Podiatry, our podiatrists are committed to providing effective and compassionate care for patients with ingrown toenails. If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort from an ingrown toenail, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment. For more information, email or call Instep Podiatry on (08) 8250 3732.