Ingrown Toenails
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Lone Peak Foot & Ankle Clinic
Podiatrist & Foot & Ankle Surgeon serving Draper, Orem, Provo, American Fork, Lindon, Pleasant Grove, Lehi, Saratoga Springs, Sandy, South Jordan, Herriman, & Bluffdale, UT.
Because an ingrown toenail can become severely infected and impact underlying bones, getting proper medical treatment right away is crucial. At Lone Peak Foot & Ankle Clinic in Draper and Orem, Utah, you can undergo in-office ingrown toenail treatments and get the pain relief you deserve with the help of Greg Brockbank, DPM, and the caring team. Before suffering from an ingrown toenail another day, schedule an evaluation online or call either office to speak with a team member.
Ingrown Toenails Q & A
Why do ingrown toenails occur?
Your toenails should ideally grow up and over your nail bed. But there are times when your toenail grows abnormally and digs into surrounding skin tissues throughout the growth cycle.
One of the most common causes of ingrown toenails is improper toenail trimming. If you cut your toenails too short or round out your nail edges, your nail is more likely to grow into your nail bed and become ingrown.
Improper pedicure habits are common causes, but they’re not the only reason ingrown toenails occur. Your ingrown toenail may be caused by:
- Experiencing trauma, like dropping something on your foot
- Wearing tight shoes with little room in the toe box
- Having a history of fungal nails
- Wearing socks that are too tight
If ingrown toenails are a frequent problem for you, it may be a sign of an inherited issue. If your nails are overly curved — “pincer” nails — you might be prone to developing frequent ingrown nail issues.
What are the symptoms of ingrown toenails?
One of the first signs that an ingrown toenail is forming is redness. You might notice that the skin next to your nail — on one or both sides — seems a little red and inflamed. As that nail continues to grow and irritate your skin, you may experience:
- Burning or electrical pains
- Drainage or oozing
- Foul odor
You might also find that the skin surrounding your nail is warm to the touch. These signs indicate that you could have an infection. No matter how minor or how severe your ingrown toenail may seem, though, the team at Lone Peak Foot & Ankle Clinic can help.
How are ingrown toenails treated?
The team at Lone Peak Foot & Ankle Clinic regularly treats ingrown toenails right in the office. For minor ingrown toenails that aren’t infected, your podiatrist may place a small splint under the ingrown edge of the nail to promote proper growth. They show you how to change the split regularly at home.
If you have a more severe ingrown toenail, you might need a surgical removal procedure. Your podiatrist carefully numbs your toe with a small injection and trims away the nail side borders. They apply a topical solution to promote healing and bandage your toe. You’ll need to change your dressing as recommended.
While less common, sometimes it’s necessary to remove your entire toenail and the nail root. If you continue getting ingrown toenails (often because of pincer-shaped nails), this prevents the regrowth of the nail
It’s particularly important to undergo professional ingrown toenail treatment at Lone Peak Foot & Ankle Clinic if you have circulation problems, including diabetes. When you have poor circulation, you have a higher risk of developing a very serious infection.
Lone Peak Foot & Ankle Clinic can help you with that painful ingrown toenail. Get relief by booking your exam online or by calling either office today.
We are located in Draper, Utah and Orem, Utah. Call us to see our podiatrist, Dr. Brockbank today.
