Do you suffer from ingrown toenails? Ingrown toenails are a very common foot condition in which the corner or side of the toenail begins to grow into the skin, affecting both adults and kids, and are often a recurring issue.
When suffering from an ingrown toenail, it is important that you seek help from your podiatrist, especially if you are a child. Ingrown toenails that are left untreated can cause infections, which can cause even bigger issues down the road.
Treating Ingrown Toenails
While some initial treatments of ingrown toenails may consist of soaking the nail, to various antibiotic creams and ointments, to cutting part of the nail back, other forms of treatment may be necessary if the issue continues.
At the Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois, we prefer to treat ingrown toenails by removing a portion of the nail by the trimming the corner of the nail, or remove the nail back to the cuticle, all done with a local anesthetic in order to lessen the discomfort. This will hardly be noticeable since the portion of the toenail that is removed is the portion that is growing downwards into the skin and is not visible.
Often times, antibiotics are not necessary after cutting the nail, making the process pretty simple and fast.
Preventing Ingrown Toenails
There are several ways to prevent an ingrown toenail from happening to you or your child. From ensuring you are cutting toenails straight across, instead of following the curved shape of the nail, as well as avoiding buying shoes that are too tight or stiff in the toebox area, can help to prevent the development of ingrown toenails.
If you or your child are experiencing ingrown toenails, it is important that you contact the Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois to get started on your treatment today!
