INGROWN TOENAILS

An ingrown toenail is a painful nail condition that begins when a nail curves deeply into the skin and eventually causes an infection in the nail border. It can be painful in shoe gear as well as with simple walking. Ingrown toenails can be caused by shoe gear that is too tight and pushing in on the nail edges as well as other factors such as nail shape and foot type.

Common symptoms of this condition include pain on the nail edges of the toes,
drainage/fluid seeping from the nail edges, redness and swelling around the nail borders, the nail edge digging into the nail borders, and bleeding noted from the nail corners. It is important that ingrown nails be addressed as soon as possible in order to make sure that the infection does not progress and lead to loss of a toe or further infection in the foot.

Southwest Austin Foot & Ankle Clinic physicians will be able to evaluate the ingrown nails and discuss appropriate treatment options. These options may include:

• Removal of the nail edge (non-permanent or permanent)
• Cutting back the nail edge
• Oral antibiotics
• Wound care

For further information about ingrown nails and how a podiatric surgeon can help you, please refer to the APMA Website.

If you are suffering from ingrown toenails, please don’t hesitate to get help. Contact Southwest Austin Foot & Ankle Clinic to schedule an appointment right away!