Ingrown
nails
An ingrown toenail can be a surprisingly painful and frustrating condition. It occurs when the edge of a toenail, usually on the big toe, grows into the soft skin on the side of the toe. This can lead to significant pain, redness, swelling, and even a serious infection if left untreated.
At Infinite Podiatry, we provide safe and effective treatments for ingrown toenails, ensuring you get the relief you need without the risk of at home remedies.
What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?
Understanding the cause of your ingrown toenail is the first step toward preventing it from happening again. Common causes include:
Improper Nail Trimming: Cutting your toenails too short or rounding the corners is the most common cause. Nails should be trimmed straight across.
Ill-fitting Footwear: Shoes that are too tight or narrow can put constant pressure on your toes, pushing the nail into the surrounding skin.
Foot Trauma: Stubbing your toe or having a heavy object fall on your foot can cause the nail to grow improperly.
Heredity: Some people are simply predisposed to ingrown toenails due to the natural shape and curvature of their nails.
Why Choose Professional Treatment?
While it may be tempting to try and fix an ingrown toenail yourself, this can lead to further pain, injury, and a high risk of infection. Professional podiatric care is the safest and most effective solution. We have the tools and expertise to properly remove the offending portion of the nail in a sterile environment, reducing your risk of infection and providing lasting relief.
Our Ingrown Nail Treatment Options
Depending on the severity of your ingrown toenail, we offer several professional treatment options:
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Conservative Treatment: For mild cases without infection, we may be able to gently lift the edge of the nail and place a splint or sterile cotton underneath to guide its growth away from the skin.
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Nail Bracing: Nail bracing for an ingrown toenail is a non-invasive, pain-free treatment designed to gently correct the natural curve of the nail. Like dental braces, a small wire, resin, or plastic strip is attached to the nail to elevate the edges, reduce skin pressure, and promote straighter, natural growth.
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Partial Nail Avulsion: This is a simple, in-clinic procedure for more painful or recurring ingrown toenails. After numbing your toe with a local anesthetic, we remove the small portion of the nail that is growing into the skin. We then apply a chemical to the nail bed where the ingrown portion of the nail grows from. The aim its to prevent that small section of the nail from growing back.
Don’t live with the pain and discomfort of an ingrown toenail. Contact Infinite Podiatry today to schedule an appointment and get the professional care you need for fast and lasting relief.