Ingrown Toenails Serving St. Joseph, Kansas City, Platte City, & Parkville, MO
Effective Solutions for Your Ingrown Toenails
The unusual appearance of your toenail may be hinting at a foot problem. If the distorted appearance of your toenail isn’t enough of a clue, you may start experiencing some uncomfortable symptoms as well. Don’t allow your ingrown toenails to remain untreated. Contact Dr. Russell Grimes, Dr. Ross Bartley, or Dr. Tyler Sten of Pivotal Foot and Ankle Surgeons if you are seeking expert treatment for ingrown toenails in St. Joseph, Kansas City, Parkville, or Platte City, MO.
What Are Ingrown Toenails?
You’ve likely heard of ingrown toenails before, but unless you’ve experienced them firsthand, you may not realize how troublesome they can be. An ingrown toenail forms when a toenail burrows into the surrounding flesh. One of your toenails may grow in that manner due to an injury. If you stub your toe or drop something heavy on it, the toenail may move in an unnatural direction when it starts to grow out.
Ingrown toenails are also byproducts of poor grooming practices. If you don’t properly trim your toenails, they may move into your flesh instead of growing as expected. Toenails may also grow in the wrong direction because you have ill-fitting shoes. Shoes that cause too much crowding around the nails may force improper growth.
Swelling is among the main symptoms associated with an ingrown toenail. The swelling will be concentrated around where the toenail enters the flesh. Expect that part of your foot to feel tender and painful. Taking immediate action to treat your ingrown toenail is also important because you may develop an infection otherwise.
What Are the Treatment Options for Ingrown Toenails?
Soak your feet in warm water four times daily, and push the skin away from your affected toes after each session. Maintain that routine until your toenail grows normally again. When it does, put cotton wool under the nail so it stops burrowing into your flesh. If you cannot handle that process, don’t hesitate to consult a podiatrist.
Podiatrists can also present other treatment options. They can suggest better shoes or prescribe orthotics to take pressure off your toes. Your podiatrist may also prescribe medication if you are struggling with pain.
Ingrown toenails that have become infected may require surgical intervention. The podiatrist can remove different portions of the toenail during surgery to alleviate pressure. You may also be given medication to keep the infection under control.