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Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown Toenails services offered in Fresno and Madera, CA

Ingrown toenails affect people of all ages. Typically, they resolve on their own, but if you have diabetes or another medical condition that increases your risk of infection, it’s vital to seek treatment. At Advanced Foot Care and Clinical Research Center, board-certified podiatrists Jay Mukker, DPM, FABPM, CWSP, and Gavin Lee, DPM, provide outpatient treatment for ingrown toenails. To make an appointment, call the office in Fresno or Madera, California, or book online today. 

Ingrown Toenails Q & A

What are ingrown toenails?

An ingrown toenail occurs when your toenail grows into your skin instead of out and away from your toe. As the nail grows further into your skin, it causes redness, swelling, and pain.

Most ingrown toenails respond to at-home treatment, like soaking the toe in warm water. However, if your symptoms persist or worsen, contact Advanced Foot Care and Clinical Research Center.

What are the symptoms of ingrown toenails?

The symptoms of ingrown toenails include:

  • Redness
  • Tenderness
  • Swelling
  • Inflamed skin

If the nail becomes infected, it might cause the toe to bleed or ooze pus.

What causes ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails occur for various reasons, including:

  • Wearing tight shoes
  • Cutting your toenails too short
  • Injuring a toenail
  • Having abnormally curved toenails
  • Nail infections

You’re also more likely to experience an ingrown toenail if you have an underlying health problem, like diabetes or peripheral artery disease (PAD).

How are ingrown toenails diagnosed?

To diagnose an ingrown toenail, your Advanced Foot Care and Clinical Research Center provider asks about your medical history and your symptoms, including when you first noticed the nail and if you’ve tried at-home treatments, like soaking it or applying an antibiotic ointment.

Next, your provider carefully examines your toe, looking for swelling and redness. They might also order X-rays to determine how far the nail grows into your skin and if there’s an infection.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

Treatment of ingrown toenails depends on various factors, including the severity of your symptoms and how far the nail grows into your skin. Your Advanced Foot Care and Clinical Research Center provider might recommend:

  • Lifting the nail
  • Taping the nail
  • Placing a splint under the nail
  • Partially removing the nail
  • Removing the nail and tissue completely

The goal of treatment is to relieve the pain, prevent infection from spreading, and encourage your body’s healing process.

Is there any way to prevent ingrown toenails?

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of ingrown toenails. Advanced Foot Care and Clinical Research Center recommends wearing comfortable shoes that fit properly, trimming your toenails straight across, and checking your feet daily (especially if you have diabetes).

To explore the treatment options for ingrown toenails, make an appointment at Advanced Foot Care and Clinical Research Center by calling the nearest office or booking online today.