Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown toenails can be very painful.  In addition, if they are not treated early, an infection can set in.   Thus, we make sure that patients with ingrown toenails are seen right away.  

Causes of ingrown toenails include:

• Hereditary. In many people, the tendency for ingrown toenails is inherited.
• Trauma. Sometimes an ingrown toenail is the result of trauma, such as stubbing your toe, having an object fall on your toe, or engaging in activities that involve repeated pressure on the toes, such as kicking or running.
• Improper trimming. The most common cause of ingrown toenails is cutting your nails too short. This encourages the skin next to the nail to fold over the nail.
• Improperly sized footwear. Ingrown toenails can result from wearing socks and shoes that are tight or short.
• Nail Conditions. Ingrown toenails can be caused by nail problems, such as fungal infections or losing a nail due to trauma

Treatment

After examining the toe, the doctor will select the treatment best suited for you. If an infection is present, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed.  Usually, a local anesthetic is used to lessen the discomfort.  If your toe is tender we will ensure that your toe is completely numb before taking care of the nail problem.  We even numb up your skin with a cold spray before you are given a local anesthetic!