Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown toenails are often painful and might not resolve without proper treatment. At Littleton Foot and Ankle Clinic, PLLC, in Littleton, Colorado, board-certified podiatrist Alfred Kwon, DPM, and his staff offer an array of treatments for ingrown toenails to help the affected nail heal, restore its structure, and eliminate pain. Call the office or use the online scheduler today.

Ingrown Toenail Q & A

What are ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails are nails that grow into soft surrounding flesh, often resulting in pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. They usually affect your big toenail. If you have an ingrown toenail that doesn’t heal on its own or is painful, Dr. Kwon can treat it to make you feel comfortable and reduce the risk of complications.

What are the symptoms of ingrown toenails?

Symptoms you might experience because of an ingrown toenail include:

  • Inflammation
  • Redness
  • Warmth
  • Pain
  • Tenderness
  • Swelling
  • Pus
  • Other signs of infection

See Dr. Kwon if you have severe discomfort in your toe, pus, diabetes, or symptoms that don’t improve.

When left untreated, complications associated with ingrown toenails can include poor blood flow, nerve damage, and painful infections.

What are the risk factors for ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails are common. While anyone can develop them, common causes and risk factors include:

  • Toenail injuries
  • Ill-fitted shoes
  • Cutting your nails too short
  • Not cutting your nails straight across
  • Nail infections
  • Curved toenails
  • Some medical conditions
  • Being a teenager
  • Poor nail care habits
  • Diabetes
  • Poor blood flow
  • Being a runner

Ways to reduce your risk of developing an ingrown toenail include trimming your nails straight across, not cutting them too short, and wearing comfortable shoes. If you have diabetes, check your feet, toes, and toenails often and see Dr. Kwon for periodic foot evaluations.

How does my doctor diagnose ingrown toenails?

To diagnose ingrown toenails and develop an effective treatment, your provider examines your feet, toes, and toenails. They ask about your medical history and symptoms, determine the severity of your condition, and find the best way to treat it.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

Treatments that Dr. Kwon could recommend for ingrown toenails include:

Home remedies

Things you can do at home to treat ingrown toenails include soaking your feet in soapy water several times daily and wearing comfortable shoes.

Medical treatments

Dr. Kwon offers in-office treatments for ingrown toenails. He uses specialized procedures to lift your nail, tape it, place a splint on it, or partially or fully remove an ingrown toenail to allow affected tissues to heal properly.

To get treated, call the Littleton Foot and Ankle Clinic or request an appointment online today.

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