Ingrown Toenails

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail is a painful condition that occurs when your toenail curves downward and grows into the skin surrounding your nail bed. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail may cause an infection. This is especially true if you’re living with diabetes, a chronic condition in which your body doesn’t use or make the hormone insulin, thereby leaving you unable to metabolize sugar effectively. Diabetes also negatively impacts your circulation, negatively affecting your body’s natural healing process. 

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toenails feel hot or tender to the touch. Other common symptoms include:

• Toe pain
• Toe tenderness
• Toe redness
• Swelling around the affected toenail

As the condition progresses, you might also develop an infection in the tissue surrounding your affected toenail. 

What causes ingrown toenails?

Ingrown toenails occur for a variety of reasons. Some common underlying causes of ingrown toenails include:

• Wearing shoes that crowd your toenails
• Cutting your toenails too short
• Cutting your toenails at an angle
• Having unusually curved nails

You might also develop an ingrown toenail as the result of an injury. This is especially true if you stub your toe or suffer a crush injury. 

Can complications arise from an ingrown toenail?

Yes. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail can cause a serious infection. Your risk of complications also increases if you’re living with diabetes. This is because diabetes affects blood flow to your feet. Even a minor foot injury like a scrape or callus can lead to serious complications.

How are ingrown toenails diagnosed?

To diagnose an ingrown toenail, Dr. Carter-Robin physically examines your toes and toenails. She also asks you questions about your symptoms and reviews your medical history. Usually, these measures are enough to determine if you have an ingrown toenail. 

How are ingrown toenails treated?

Dr. Carter-Robin uses integrative measures of care to address ingrown toenails. If your ingrown toenail doesn’t respond to rest or other conservative treatments, Dr. Carter-Robin might recommend the surgical removal of your nail. She performs ingrown toenail surgery in-house using a local anesthetic. Following treatment, you can return home right away.  

No matter the type of nail disorder with which you’re suffering, Dr. Carter-Robin can develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses your needs and concerns. Make an appointment at Stephanie Carter-Robin, DPM, PC, by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool today.