Ingrown Toenails - Symptoms and Causes

Ingrown toenails - symptoms and causes are a common questions podiatry patients have. They occur when the toenail grows into the side of the skin and into the flesh. It can be a painful issue causing swelling or even infection. It can happen on any toe, but it is usually the big toe that is affected.

Ingrown toenails symptoms

Symptoms of ingrown toenails can vary from person to person but generally can include:

• Itchiness and infection
• Swelling
• Pain
• Tenderness
• Inflammation and redness

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails can happen due to poor blood flow to the area. This can happen because of diabetes affecting the foot. Other causes can include:

• wearing tight shoes that squash the toenails
• impact injury to the nail
• having curved toenails
• nail infections
• diabetes
• cutting a toenail too short

Treatment of Ingrown Toenails

Podiatrists can treat ingrown toenails. A podiatrist can help with in-grown toenails by removing a small part of the nail so that the nail can grow out properly. If it is infected they may recommend antibiotics as well to treat and overcome the infection.

If you have ongoing or recurring ingrown toenails that are badly infected surgery on the nail may be most appropriate by a podiatrist. Ingrown toenail surgery by a podiatrist uses a local anesthetic to numb the area and then remove part of the nail. Then phenol is applied to that area to stop the nail from growing back.

Podiatrist Moonee Ponds and Essendon

Head2toe has podiatrists who work day in and day out treating ingrown toenails. Since they are such a common condition it is important for people to get on top of the issue early. That way it can stop pain and discomfort and also stop the spreading of any infections, and in some cases stop them coming back for good.