Ingrown Toenails Morrisville & Philadelphia, PA
If you have an ingrown toenail, it may become a functional, as well as a cosmetic, problem. At Next Step Foot & Ankle in Philadelphia and Morrisville, Dr. Albert Giagnacova, DPM, provides treatments for ingrown toenails and knows that without the appropriate medical care they may lead to a bone infection and more serious complications. The help and support of a skilled podiatrist like Dr. Giagnacova helps you to take care of your feet and improve your foot health. To learn more, call or use online booking to schedule an appointment today.

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When the side or corner of a toenail grows the wrong direction into your skin and soft flesh, it’s called an ingrown toenail. The edge of the ingrown toenail may cut your skin and cause pain, redness, swelling, inflammation, and pus drainage.

Ingrown toenails are common and generally appear on your big toe. Many ingrown toenails go away on their own, but more serious cases may lead to a bone infection.

Men and women with certain medical conditions like diabetes have poor blood flow to their feet and therefore are at a heightened risk of complications due to ingrown toenails.

What causes ingrown toenails?

Certain factors may play a role in the development of ingrown toenails, including:

  • Poor posture
  • Poor hygiene
  • Toenail injury
  • Shoes that don’t fit properly
  • Toenails that are unusually shaped or curved
  • An oversized nail bed with edges that push into your skin

Cutting your toenails too short or not cutting them straight across may also contribute to the formation of ingrown toenails.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

At home, you can take care of your ingrown toenail by:

  • Soaking your feet in warm water for 20 minutes twice daily to decrease tenderness and swelling
  • Taking over-the-counter antibiotic creams to combat infection and using disinfectant soaps
  • Placing bandages or padding around your ingrown toenail for protection and comfort
  • Softening your nail edges by filing and trimming your nails properly

Dr. Giagnacova performs a physical exam to get a sense of your symptoms, your nail, and the surrounding skin. He may also recommend X-ray imaging if necessary.

Treatments for an ingrown toenail include:

  • Prescription antibiotic medication
  • Orthotic devices, such as separators
  • Pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medications

Dr. Giagnacova may clip the corner of your toenail for temporary relief without anesthesia. If your toenail is slightly ingrown, Dr. Giagnacova lifts the nail edge and places a splint, cotton, or other material to separate your nail from the skin and help the nail grow above the edge of your skin.

For more severe ingrown toenails that keep recurring, Dr. Giagnacova might suggest removing a portion of the underlying nail and tissue, usually with a local anesthetic, in a quick in-office procedure with no downtime. In some cases, a chemical or acid is applied to the nail root.

Take care of your feet and get rid of your ingrown toenails. Call Next Step Foot & Ankle in Philadelphia or use online booking to schedule an appointment today.