Treatment for Ingrown Toenails in Greenbelt MD and proudly serving Temple Hills & Ellicott, MD
Ingrown toenails are a common and painful problem that can impact your ability to stay mobile. When you have an ingrown toenail that doesn’t resolve, you need to visit your podiatrist.
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are caused by the toenail growing into the skin around the nail. They can result from cutting your toenails too short, rounding the corners when you cut your toenails, or experiencing an accident or injury to your toes or nails.
Risk Factors for Developing Ingrown Toenails
You are more likely to develop ingrown toenails if you:
- Have toenails that naturally curve under
- Have experienced an injury to your toe or toenail
- Wear narrow shoes that crush your toes together
Signs and Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails
There are several common signs and symptoms of ingrown toenails. You may have ingrown toenails if you:
- Notice swelling and bruising around your nail
- See redness and irritation around your nail
- Experience throbbing pain and pressure underneath your nail
- See the nail separating from the nail bed
- Notice pus coming out from under the nail
Prevention of Ingrown Toenails
You can take some easy steps to help prevent ingrown toenails. Remember to:
- Trim your nails straight across
- Avoid rounding the corners of your toenails
- Avoid cutting your nails too short
- Wear protective, appropriate shoes to prevent toenail injuries
Home Remedies for Ingrown Toenails
There are some simple home remedies you can try that may help an ingrown toenail heal. You can:
- Soak your toe in warm water daily
- Place a small piece of dental floss under your nail to lift it off the surrounding skin
- Apply antibiotic cream around your nail
- Wrap your toe in bandaging to protect it
- Wear open-toe shoes or sandals to help your toes heal
When To Visit a Podiatrist for Ingrown Toenails
It’s important to visit a podiatrist for treatment of an ingrown toenail that is:
- Failing to respond to home remedies
- Causing severe pain and pressure
- Interfering with your ability to wear shoes
- Interfering with your mobility
How Your Podiatrist Can Treat an Ingrown Toenail
Your podiatrist offers several treatment options to help an ingrown toenail heal. Common professional treatments include:
- Trimming off a section of your toenail that has grown into the skin
- Lifting and separating the toenail from the surrounding skin
- Removing the entire toenail so a new, healthy toenail can grow in its place