Ingrown toenails are fairly common, affecting almost 20 percent of adults at some point in their lives, according to the National Foot Health Assessment. If you happen to develop a stubborn ingrown nail, your Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, and Kensington, MD, podiatrists. Dr. Michael Frank, Dr. Marc Goldberg, and Dr. Adam Lowy of Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland, offer helpful treatments.
What causes ingrown toenails?
Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of a nail grows into the soft skin surrounding the nail. As the nail continues to grow into the skin, your toe may begin to hurt and look red and swollen. In some cases, an ingrown toenail can become infected. If you have an infection, you may notice pus and red streaks on your toe, in addition to worsening pain.
What to do if you have an ingrown toenail
When the nail first begins to pierce the skin, it may be possible to free it by soaking your foot in warm water and Epsom salt for 10 or 15 minutes, then lifting the nail by placing a piece of dental floss or cotton under it. Soak the foot and replace the cotton or floss every day until the nail is no longer trapped. Don't try to force the nail if it won't budge, and don't try to free a trapped nail yourself if you have diabetes.
Get in touch with your Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, and Kensington, MD, if:
- You notice signs of infection.
- Your nail is firmly embedded in the skin.
- You have severe pain.
- You frequently experience ingrown toenails.
Your podiatrist can numb your toe with a local anesthetic and perform a minor procedure to remove the trapped section of the nail. When a nail becomes ingrown often, removing the entire nail may be helpful. If you have an infection, your podiatrist may also prescribe an antibiotic.
How to avoid ingrown toenails
You can reduce your risk of developing an ingrown toenail by:
- Cutting your toenails straight across rather than rounding the edges
- Not wearing tight shoes or socks
- Treating toenail fungus promptly
Do you have an ingrown toenail? Schedule an appointment with your podiatrists in Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, and Kensington, MD, Dr. Michael Frank, Dr. Marc Goldberg, and Dr. Adam Lowy of Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland. You can reach the foot doctors by calling (301) 924-5044 for the Olney office, (301) 868-7670 for the Camp Springs/Clinton office, (301) 439-0300 for the Silver Spring offices, or (301) 942-8110 for the Kensington office.