Many times at Paul Klein, DPM FACFAS we have patients come in with extreme pain from an ingrown toenail. This condition occurs when a nail curves downward and begins to grow back into the skin around the toenail. Once the nail punctures the skin, inflammation occurs causing the nail to get warm, red and hurt quite a bit. In fact, many patients suffer way longer than they need to out of fear of how painful the treatment will be to fix the nail.
Our podiatrist, Dr. Paul Klein, will gently numb the area where the ingrown nail is and then remove the edge of the nail that has gone off course. If an ingrown toenail becomes a chronic issue, a laser procedure is available to permanently correct the problem. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail can become infected. If you see drainage from the site, especially if accompanied by a foul odor contact our Wayne office immediately by calling: (973) 595-1555.
Cause and Prevention
Of course the best way to deal with an ingrown toenail is not to get one! There are some causes of ingrown nails which are preventable. These include:
- Improper trimming of nails. Cutting nails too short is the number one cause of ingrown toenails. With super short nails the skin tends to fold over the nail, making it more likely for the nail to grow inward. Nails should be trimmed straight across and not curved to avoid nails growing down and into the skin.
- Wearing shoes that don’t fit. If you habitually wear socks and shoes that are too tight it will encourage ingrown toenails.
Other causes of ingrown toenails are:
- Heredity
- Trauma, such as badly stubbing your toe
- Other nail problems, such as a fungal infection
Once you have your ingrown toenail removed, the pain relief will be almost immediate. You’ll be back in your shoes and able to resume your normal activities and wondering why you waited so long to have it taken care of.
