Ingrown Toenail

Up to 5% of all Americans have an ingrown toenail right now. At Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists, the largest podiatry practice in the Greater Memphis area, the group of highly trained specialists offers expert ingrown toenail treatment in their Atoka, Cordova, and East Memphis, Tennessee, offices. A minor procedure can immediately stop your pain, so call the office nearest you or book your appointment online today.

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail curves and grows into the skin on the side of the nail, usually affecting the big toe. You can experience redness, pain, and swelling where the nail digs into the skin. 

Ingrown toenails can allow bacteria to enter the skin and cause infection. An infected ingrown toenail causes additional issues like a feeling of warmth in the affected toe and fluid or pus drainage with an unpleasant odor.

What causes ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails are most common in teenagers and elderly adults but can affect anyone. Some of the leading causes of ingrown toenails include:

Poor nail care habits

Improper nail care is the leading cause of ingrown toenails. Most people with ingrown toenails cut their nails too short, which allows the bordering skin to overlap the nail. Cutting or filing your nails in a curve can also encourage the growth of ingrown toenails.

Genetics 

You inherit your nail shape and size, which can increase your risk of ingrown toenails. People with large nail plates have a higher risk because the nail may not fit in its allotted space, leading to curvature and ingrown nails.

Trauma

Toe trauma, like dropping a weight on your foot, stubbing your toe, or kicking a football frequently, can increase your risk of ingrown toenails.

Tight shoes

Wearing overtight shoes puts constant pressure on the toenails and sometimes triggers ingrown nails. 

Certain nail problems, like toenail fungus, may disrupt the standard nail growth patterns and lead to ingrown toenails too. 

How are ingrown toenails treated?

If you have a mildly ingrown toenail, soak the toe in room-temperature water with Epsom salt and lightly massage the nail fold. Avoid cutting a notch in the nail or digging the nail out because this greatly increases the risk of infection.

You should never try home treatment if you have severe symptoms, signs of infection, diabetes, nerve damage, or vascular disease. 

Minor in-office surgery removes the ingrown portion of the nail, leading to instant pain relief. If you have recurrent ingrown toenails in the same spot, you may need minor surgery to remove part of the nail root. This permanently prevents regrowth while leaving most of your nail intact. If you have an infection, you’ll also receive oral antibiotics.

Get fast pain relief by calling the nearest Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists or clicking the online scheduler now.