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Ingrown Toenails

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail is a condition where the nail begins to grow into the skin around it. This is most common in the big toe but can also occur in other toes. It can cause redness, swelling, and pain, especially when pressure is applied to the area from wearing a shoe.

When the nail grows into the skin, it can cause infection, which is characterized by pus, redness, and pain. In some cases, the infection can spread or cause an abscess.

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Ingrown Toenail Diagnosis and Treatment

An ingrown toenail is a condition where the nail on the toe grows into the skin. The most common toe where this occurs is the big toe. However, this condition is not limited to the big toe alone. As the nail digs into the skin, you may feel a lot of discomfort, especially when you are putting on a shoe.

In case the skin breaks, bacteria are likely to get into the skin, leading to an infection. In this case, the symptoms of an ingrown nail are likely to worsen.

Common Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, you might experience the following:

  • Pain or tenderness along one or both sides of the toenail
  • Redness and swelling around the nail border
  • Pressure in the toe, especially with shoes
  • Drainage or pus
  • Hypertrophic tissue: skin that is growing over the nail

 

Some ingrown toenails get better with good personal hygiene and gentle care, but some get worse if not treated properly, especially if there is evidence of infection or trauma.

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails are caused by a combination of individual habits, foot types, and mechanical factors. These factors include:

  • Poor nail care, e.g, cutting toenails too short or rounded
  • Wearing tight or narrow shoes can cause the nail plate edge to embed into the skin
  • Stubbing your toe or repetitive trauma
  • Genetic traits such as curved or wide toenails
  • Thickened nails due to fungal issues or aging
  • Sweaty feet, causing the nail plate and skin to soften and embed more easily

 

Ingrown toenails are also more likely to happen in teenagers, athletes, and those with poor circulation or diabetes.

Diagnosing Ingrown Toenails

When you arrive, we will begin with a thorough examination of the affected toe. This involves checking the manner in which the nail is growing, as well as the skin around it. We will also want to know about your symptoms, your shoes, and previous problems with the nail.

If the ingrown nail is recurring, if the shape of the nail is abnormal, or if the pain seems to be deeper than the skin, we may want to get an X-ray. This will allow us to ensure that there are no problems with the bone, such as a bone spur, which may be causing the ingrown nail.

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Non-Surgical Treatment Options For Ingrown Toenails

If the ingrown toenail is minor and not infected, there are several non-surgical options that we may offer, including:

  • Warm salt water or Epsom salt soaks to help reduce inflammation
  • Gentle lifting of the ingrown nail edge, either with a cotton or floss method
  • Antibiotics, either topical or oral, to help combat early signs of infection
  • Changing your shoes to help alleviate pressure

     

We will often remove or trim the ingrown nail edge in-office with sterile equipment. The process is quite quick, and pain relief will be immediate.

foot pain

What Does Ingrown Toenail Removal Look Like?

Sometimes, conservative care might not work, or the ingrown toenail is infected or recurrent. That’s when we offer a partial removal procedure. It’s a quick procedure to remove the ingrown portion of the toenail. It involves:

  • Using a local anesthetic to numb the toe
  • Trimming or removing the ingrown portion
  • In some cases, applying a chemical solution to prevent the regrowth of the ingrown portion


Ingrown toenail removal is quick, and you can walk out of our office with minimal discomfort.

When Is Surgical Treatment For Ingrown Toenails Needed?

In cases of chronic or recurring ingrown toenails, or when the nail is significantly deformed or infected, surgical treatment is an option. The surgical treatments available are:

  • Matrixectomy – the permanent removal of the ingrown part of the toenail.
  • Removal of the nail itself – this is rarely needed.
  • Surgical correction of the nail bed or surrounding tissue to correct deformities.


Surgical treatments are performed in the office and usually take less than an hour. The goal is to stop the cycle of pain, inflammation, and nail problems.

Preventing Ingrown Toenails

Once we have addressed the nail, we work with you to prevent it from returning:

  • Trim toenails straight across, not curved, and not too short
  • Wear shoes with a roomy toe box
  • Keep your feet clean and dry
  • Avoid tearing or picking at your nails
  • Wear protective shoes if you work in an environment where foot injury is a risk
  • Consider custom orthotics if your foot biomechanics are a contributing factor


If you are prone to ingrown toenails, scheduling regular appointments with a podiatrist can help you stay one step ahead of this common problem.

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Get Relief from Ingrown Toenail Pain at Vale Foot & Ankle

You do not have to live with the pain of an ingrown toenail or wait until it becomes infected or unbearable. Whether it’s your first time dealing with an ingrown toenail or it’s a recurring problem, our team at Vale Foot and Ankle is here to help you through it.

We will not only treat your ingrown toenail, but also provide you with relief from your pain and educate you on how to prevent it from occurring again in the future. Contact us today to book an appointment and walk out our door feeling better than when you walked in.

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