All you Need to Know About Ingrown Toenails

What are Ingrown Nails?

An ingrown toenail is when your toenail starts growing into the skin at the nail borders. They cause reddening of the toe, pain, tenderness, and inflammation. Sometimes an infection can occur if the abnormally growing nail breaks the skin. If the ingrown toenail becomes infected, it can cause drainage in addition to malodor.

How do you get Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails can happen for a number of reasons. If your mom or dad has had issues with ingrown toenails and now you do- you can thank them, because ingrown nails can be hereditary.

Injuries to the toenail, like stubbing your toe, kicking, or running can be the cause of ingrown nails.

Cutting toenails too short is the most common cause of ingrown toenails.

If the socks or shoes you are wearing are too tight it can result in an ingrown nail. Conditions like fungal infections can cause ingrown toenails.

How can you Treat Ingrown Nails?

At Metro Tulsa Foot & Ankle Specialists, we do not recommend home treatment of ingrown toenails, especially if a patient is at higher risk because of nerve and poor circulation disorders and diabetes. We strongly advise against home surgeries as this can result in the issue worsening.

We recommend you seek professional help for ingrown nails- especially if there are signs of infection.

The most common treatment in office for this issue is a total or partial removal of the problem nail. Permanent Removal of the nail includes a chemical being applied to the nail bed to prevent the nail from growing back in that spot.