Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown toenails are common, affecting 2 in 10 people who visit their medical provider for a foot problem. At Cascade Foot & Ankle in Nephi and Provo, Utah, board-certified podiatric surgeon and wound care specialist Jared Clegg, DPM, FACFAS, and his team diagnose and treat ingrown toenails to ease discomfort and reduce the risk of infection and worsening pain. Schedule an evaluation at Cascade Foot & Ankle today. Call the office to request an appointment.

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail develops when part of your toenail grows into the surrounding skin. It isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, but infections and pain can develop without treatment. See the Cascade Foot & Ankle team at the first sign of an infection or if your condition isn’t improving with home remedies.

What symptoms does an ingrown toenail cause?

An ingrown toenail can cause the following symptoms:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Redness
• Tenderness
• Toe pain

An infected ingrown toenail might also ooze pus from the affected toe and cause discomfort when you walk, exercise, or rub your toe against the side of your shoe.

What increases the risk of an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toenails are common; anyone can develop them. Your risk increases because of:

• Cutting your toenails at an angle
• Wearing tight-fitting shoes
• Stubbing your toe
• Having curved toenails
• Poor blood circulation
• Diabetes
• Nerve damage in your feet

If you struggle with venous insufficiency or diabetes, the chance of a severe infection called gangrene increases, which can lead to amputation in extreme cases.

Ways to reduce the risk of an ingrown toenail include cutting your toes straight across and wearing comfortable shoes that provide plenty of room for your toes.

How does my specialist diagnose an ingrown toenail?

Diagnosing an ingrown toenail involves discussing your symptoms, reviewing your medical history, and examining the affected toe. Cascade Foot & Ankle also offers on-site X-rays to determine how deep the nail has grown into the skin.

How are ingrown toenails treated?

Treating an ingrown toenail will depend on how severe it is and whether your toe is infected. The Cascade Foot & Ankle team might recommend changing your footwear, soaking your nail in warm water, using oral or topical medications, or splinting the nail. In severe cases, your podiatrist will need to remove all or part of the affected nail.

If you have diabetes, nerve damage, or poor circulation, check your feet regularly and see your podiatrist often to maintain healthy feet and toes.

Schedule an evaluation at Cascade Foot & Ankle by calling the office today.