Ingrown Toenail Specialist

What are ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails are a common, painful condition that occurs when your toenails start to cut into the skin around your nail rather than growing flat and straight. Big toes are most susceptible to ingrown toenails, but any toe can develop an ingrown toenail.

How can I tell if I have ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails tend to be painful. When you look at your toe, you’ll see the edge of your nail disappearing into the flesh at the edge of your nail, rather than growing straight outward. Your toe might also be red and/or swollen.

Ingrown toenails can become infected. If your toe has a foul odor, or if you notice any pus or oozing around your toenail, contact your Run Doctor professional immediately.

How did I get ingrown toenails?

If your toenails are naturally curved, you probably have a tendency to develop ingrown toenails. Cutting your nails improperly — by cutting them too short or on a curve — raises your risk for ingrown toenails. Even wearing shoes with tight toe boxes that squeeze your toes might cause your nail to grow inward and into your skin.

What happens if I don’t treat an ingrown toenail?

When your toenail cuts into the flesh around your nail bed, the wound makes your skin vulnerable to infection. Untreated infections can spread through your bloodstream to other parts of your body.

If you have a chronic condition, such as peripheral artery disease or diabetes, ingrown toenails can be particularly dangerous. Those conditions can interfere with your ability to feel sensation in your feet, you might not notice an ingrown toenail until it’s infected. Inspect your feet every day and contact your Run Doctor podiatrist if you notice an ingrown toenail.

How can I treat my ingrown toenails?

If this is your first ingrown toenail and you don’t see any signs of infection, soak your feet in warm water for about 20 minutes. Dry your feet and then gently lift the nail out of your skin, supporting it with a small piece of cotton so that it can grow straight again.

How do podiatrists treat ingrown toenails?

Your podiatrist treats ingrown toenails with splints, lasers, or surgery, depending on your needs. If you chronically get ingrown toenails, have a condition that affects your circulation or sensation, or your ingrown nail doesn’t respond to self-treatment, call your Run Doctor podiatrist or use the online booking form today.