Ingrown Toenails

The most common symptoms of ingrown toenails include:

• Pain and Tenderness: Ingrown toenails often cause pain and tenderness along the sides of the affected toenail, especially when pressure is applied.
• Swelling and Redness: The surrounding skin may become swollen, red, and inflamed due to irritation from the ingrown toenail.
• Pus or Drainage: In severe cases, ingrown toenails can lead to infection, resulting in the formation of pus or drainage around the affected toenail.
• Difficulty Walking: Pain and discomfort from ingrown toenails can make it difficult to walk or wear shoes comfortably, affecting daily activities and quality of life.

Several factors can contribute to the development of ingrown toenails, including:

• Improper Nail Trimming: Cutting toenails too short or rounding the edges rather than cutting straight across can increase the risk of ingrown toenails.
• Ill-Fitting Footwear: Tight or narrow shoes that crowd the toes can exert pressure on the toenails, causing them to grow into the surrounding skin.
• Trauma or Injury: Stubbing the toe or dropping a heavy object on the foot can damage the nail matrix, leading to abnormal nail growth.
• Genetics: Some people are predisposed to developing ingrown toenails due to inherited factors such as the shape and curvature of their nails.
• Poor Foot Hygiene: Inadequate foot hygiene, such as failing to keep the feet clean and dry, can increase the risk of ingrown toenails and fungal infections.

Medical History

The team at Apex Skin Center will begin by asking about your medical history, including any symptoms you are experiencing, the duration and pattern of those symptoms, previous skin conditions or treatments, previous joint pains, family history of abnormal nails, and any potential triggers or exacerbating factors.

Physical Examination

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Knackstedt will conduct a thorough examination of the affected nails.

Treatment for ingrown toenails depends on the severity of the condition and may include conservative measures or surgical intervention. Common treatment options include:

• Soaking the Foot: Soaking the affected foot in warm water several times a day can help reduce pain and inflammation and soften the nail for easier trimming.
• Proper Nail Trimming: Trimming the toenails straight across and avoiding cutting them too short can prevent further ingrowth and promote healthy nail growth.
• Footwear Modification: Wearing properly fitting shoes with a wide toe box can relieve pressure on the toes and prevent ingrown toenails from worsening.
• Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with ingrown toenails.
• Topical Treatments: Applying antibiotic ointment or corticosteroid cream to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and prevent infection.
• Partial Nail Avulsion: In cases where conservative measures are ineffective or recurrent, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Knackstedt may perform a partial nail avulsion procedure to remove the ingrown portion of the toenail. This can be done using a local anesthetic to numb the toe before carefully cutting away the ingrown nail edge.
• Nail Matrix Ablation: For chronic or severe ingrown toenails, nail matrix ablation may be recommended. This involves permanently destroying the portion of the nail matrix responsible for nail growth to prevent future ingrown toenails from occurring.