Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into the skin of your toes rather than over it, leading to periodic pain, redness and even swelling. The condition can be caused by ill-fitting shoes or cutting toenails in the wrong way, such as a curved shape. It’s estimated that “about 7 million people in the United States are dealing with an ingrown toenail at any given time,” and if left untreated, ingrown toenails can become infected. Prevent ingrown toenails by cutting your nails straight across, wearing comfortable shoes, and keeping proper foot hygiene.
Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Edwin S. Hart of Pennsylvania. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
Causes
- Bacterial infections
- Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
- Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
- Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
- Genetic predisposition
Prevention
Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Bethlehem, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.