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When you’re not caring for your toenails regularly, your risk increases for painful ingrown toenails, infection, and other complications. At Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists, located in Louisville, Fern Creek, Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville, Leitchfield, and Jeffersonville, Kentucky, the highly skilled podiatry team provides in-office ingrown toenail treatments. They can recommend pain relievers, prescribe antibiotics, and perform minor procedures to remove the sharp edges of an overgrown nail. Call the Louisville Foot and Ankle office near you today to schedule an appointment or book an ingrown toenail evaluation online.
What are ingrown toenails?
Ingrown toenails develop when the side of your nail grows into the nearby skin, causing pain, swelling, and other uncomfortable symptoms. If the toenail breaks through the skin, you may be at increased risk for a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
A common cause of ingrown toenails is improper toenail hygiene. If you trim your toenails too short or otherwise incorrectly, the edge of the nail can press into the flesh nearby.
Other potential causes of ingrown toenails include:
- Toenail trauma
- Nail infections
- Tight or ill-fitting shoes
- Naturally curved toenails
Underlying medical issues, including diabetes and circulatory problems, can also increase the likelihood of acute or chronic ingrown toenails.
When should I seek treatment for ingrown toenails?
Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists if you have an ingrown toenail that you can’t treat on your own at home.
In addition to pain, an ingrown toenail can cause:
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pus discharge
The podiatry team offers comprehensive physical exams to assess the severity of your ingrown toenail. They can also recommend the treatment strategies you can use to improve the health and appearance of your toenails.
How are ingrown toenails treated?
Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists provides advanced care plans to relieve the pain and other symptoms of ingrown toenails.
During an in-office visit, the team can inject an anesthetic into the affected toe before lifting the nail away from your skin. They might place a piece of cotton under the nail to prevent additional ingrown toenail concerns.
In cases of recurrent ingrown toenails, you might need minimally invasive surgery to remove part or all of your nail. The team also offers procedures to remove the nail and surrounding tissue to stop the nail from growing back.
The podiatrists can also provide tips to keep your toenails in great shape. They recommend cutting your nails straight across the top and filing away any sharp edges. If your nails are too thick or hard to cut, soak your toes for up to 15 minutes in warm water before trimming.
Call the Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists office near you today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation of an ingrown toenail or book an appointment online.