What Can I Do About a Recurrent Ingrown Toenail?

For a tiny area of your toe, the amount of pain and discomfort that an ingrown toenail can cause is enough to alter how you get around and even limit your movement because it hurts so much. 

An ingrown toenail develops when the side or corner of your toenail actually starts growing into your skin — ouch!

Fortunately, our competent and caring team of podiatrists at Premier Foot & Ankle offer treatments for ingrown toenails — and many other foot conditions — that provide true and long-lasting relief. 

Not only do we offer treatment that’s tailored to your needs and symptoms, but we also give you valuable guidance on what you can do to avoid getting another ingrown toenail. The problem is, sometimes this condition can be persistent and recurring.

The origins of an ingrown toenail

Many things can impact how a toenail grows and can lead to an ingrown toenail, from cutting your toenails improperly, toenail fungus, and toe or nail injury, to ill-fitting footwear. If others in your family struggle with ingrown toenails, you’re more likely to as well. 

Living with diabetes and its accompanying circulation problems also puts you at higher risk of developing an ingrown toenail. This condition alone puts 38.4 million Americans on the road to a potential ingrown toenail, which, if not treated, can lead to dire consequences. 

And don’t assume this is just an adult problem — children develop ingrown toenails too, and we offer care for them as well. 

What makes the condition even more worrisome is that it can progress quickly, to the point of infection. You may have an ingrown toenail if you notice:

• Intense sensitivity at the point where your nail is digging into your flesh
• Throbbing pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• A feeling of warmth on the affected area
• Nail discoloration
• Liquid draining from the tissue around your nail

Ingrown toenail pain can become so serious that you have trouble walking or wearing a shoe.

Some people get ingrown toenails repeatedly — why?

Although you can’t control heredity, you can do things to discourage the development of ingrown toenails and stop them from recurring. You can get an ingrown toenail again if you fail to cut your toenails correctly. You should always cut them straight across, and never round the corners of your nail or cut them too short. 

Wearing shoes that fit well is important too, since opting for footwear that crowds your toes doesn’t set your toenails up to grow properly. 

If you have toenail fungus, it’s important to get that treated promptly, as it can affect the way your toenails grow and raise the chances that you’ll struggle with ingrown toenail pain and mobility issues. Wearing good shoes and socks that cushion your feet also protects your toes from injury, which means you’re less likely to keep struggling with ingrown toenail discomfort.

Ingrown toenail treatment options

Your Premier Foot & Ankle podiatrist can offer various treatments if you’re suffering, depending on your particular symptoms. They may recommend oral or topical antibiotics or a device called a toenail splint, which gently lifts your toenail away from your point of pain while it grows out.

If your symptoms are more severe, your doctor may recommend removing part of your toenail in our office. We ensure your comfort while performing this simple procedure. 

If you’re plagued by repeated ingrown toenails, it may be necessary for your podiatrist to perform a matricectomy, which is the complete removal of the offending toenail. It may sound drastic, but when you’ve suffered from the worst ingrown toenail pain — again and again — this option can put an end to the problem once and for all. 

With this treatment, your toe is completely numbed so you don’t feel pain during the procedure, and recovery is quick, typically just 2-3 days. Again, it’s more than worth it if a stubborn ingrown toenail has made your life miserable. 

Contact one of our five convenient Texas locations to schedule an appointment to discuss your ingrown toenail problem. Call today or book online anytime. We’re here to help.