(866) 552-4866 You would be hard-pressed to find someone who has never experienced the annoying and often excruciating pain that comes with having ingrown toenails. To make matters worse, they usually happen for seemingly harmless reasons—perhaps you trimmed your toenails too short, stubbed your big toe, or wore a new pair of shoes that did not fit the way you expected. Regardless, you suddenly find yourself with a throbbing, swollen toenail that will not stop hurting. Many people assume they can manage ingrown toenails at home, and sometimes, they can. However, the truth is that some remedies can actually exacerbate the condition or mask an undiagnosed health issue that may be the underlying cause and could worsen if not properly treated by a professional foot doctor.
Our podiatry team at StrideCare is committed to providing you with the most comprehensive foot care—including conservative and surgical treatment options. This is equally true for significant foot conditions all the way down to the tiniest of toes. After all, healthy, pain-free toes make all the difference in our lives, and it is our job to ensure you stay on your feet today, tomorrow, and moving forward.
Do These Ingrown Toenail Symptoms Sound Familiar?
- Persistent tenderness and throbbing pain in one or more toes
- Redness, heat, and swelling
- Pain when wearing shoes
- Inability to bear weight on the impacted toe
- Noticeable drainage from the nail border
- Discoloration of the toenail
Are your ingrown toenails not responding to home treatments or have worsened? See a StrideCare podiatrist today. Our collaborative approach ensures you receive the support you need from a qualified foot doctor close to home.
What Are Ingrown Toenails?
Ingrown toenails are a common foot condition that impact an estimated 20% of people who report toe issues to their family doctor. It starts when the edge or corner of your nail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to varying degrees of irritation and pain—up to and including uncontrolled swelling and infections. More often than not, the impacted toe is your big toe, but ingrown toenails can happen in any toe.
While not typically a serious condition, some of the more common causes include:
- Improper nail trimming — Cutting toenails too short or rounding the corners.
- Tight shoes — Shoes and even socks that are too tight can squeeze the toes together and cause enough friction to create an ingrown toenail.
- Injury — Trauma to the toe, such as a severe break in the skin, purposely or accidentally tearing the corner of your nail, or stubbing your toe on the edge of the bedpost or against a door, can alter nail growth.
- Genetics — Believe it or not, some people naturally have curved toenails. As a result, they are more prone to ingrown toenails.
Ingrown toenails are a common foot condition that impact an estimated 20% of people who report toe issues to their family doctor. It starts when the edge or corner of your nail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to varying degrees of irritation and pain—up to and including uncontrolled swelling and infections.
Here's Another Risk Factor: Untreated Vascular Issues
Ingrown toenails usually don't cause any complications in healthy people. Add in the fact that they are extremely common, and it's easy to convince yourself that you can fix it with a few home remedies versus visiting a podiatrist. Here's the reality, though: not all ingrown toenails are due to somewhat harmless reasons.
For instance, if you have diabetes or a history of poor circulation, you're not only at a higher risk of developing ingrown toenails, but the ingrown toenail you're dealing with right now may be directly tied to this or other vascular issues.
Why? Poor circulation affects how blood flows to your feet. When your feet don't receive enough oxygen-rich blood, healing slows down, and even minor injuries like an ingrown toenail can take forever to heal. Unsurprisingly, this can lead to more severe infections that worsen because your body struggles to fight off the bacteria. In severe cases, untreated vascular disease can turn a small toe problem into a serious complication, sometimes leading to ulcers or more significant foot problems.
This is why foot doctors urge patients with diabetes, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or other vascular conditions not to ignore foot problems. What seems like "just an ingrown toenail" could be your body sending an early warning sign that circulation isn't where it should be.
You've probably heard of home remedies like cutting a "V" into the nail, digging the nail out yourself, or soaking it in hot water for relief.
Unfortunately, many of these methods can make things worse, including:
- Increased risk of infection — Trying to cut the nail yourself may push bacteria deeper into the nail bed and infected skin.
- Delayed healing — Covering the problem with temporary fixes often allows the nail to grow deeper into the skin.
- Worsening pain and swelling — You may think you know what you are doing, but being aggressive can cause more inflammation, pain, and swelling.
Not all ingrown toenails are due to somewhat harmless reasons. This is why foot doctors urge patients with diabetes, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or other vascular conditions not to ignore foot problems.
Consulting with a foot doctor can address a wide range of foot health issues. If you want to discuss your treatment options, please schedule an appointment with StrideCare's expert podiatric physicians.
When Do I See a Foot Doctor About Ingrown Toenails?
Much like any other ailment, including foot conditions, you need to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist if your condition is worsening and you notice any of the following symptoms or visible signs of infection:
- Worsening pain that will not go away
- Visible pus from the infected area of the toe
- Symptoms last longer than a few days
- You have diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system
Instead of relying on home remedies that may or may not work for your unique infection, a podiatrist has several methods to safely treat an ingrown toenail.
For instance, they can gently separate the nail from the skin to encourage proper growth. If needed, they can remove the ingrown portion to relieve pressure and pain, allowing the sore to heal correctly without constant irritation. Your podiatrist also has access to stronger topical and oral antibiotics that are unavailable over the counter. They can also offer preventive advice to avoid recurrences in the future.
The bottom line is that if ingrown toenails are left untreated, the nail eventually becomes embedded in the skin, which can lead to infection. An untreated infection could spread to the tissues and bones of the foot and leg and eventually to your bloodstream. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, please seek treatment, as the severity of an ingrown toenail can progress quickly.
StrideCare's Foot Doctors Treat Ingrown Toenails
Most of us will experience an ingrown toenail at some point in our lives. More often than not, it's a temporary—albeit painful—condition that can be treated from home by eliminating the problem that caused it. That said, you and your loved ones should never take ingrown toenails for granted.
With over 50 StrideCare clinic locations, finding an experienced, qualified podiatrist near you is easier than ever. A consultation with one of our podiatrists can determine the type, severity, and location of your foot pain issues.
Our expert doctors and caring staff utilize the latest technologies and treatments to help our patients reclaim their lives. Please contact us at 866-552-4866 or complete the appointment form to schedule a consultation. At StrideCare, we are here to help, all while providing compassionate patient care.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
StrideCare serves North Texas and South Texas communities, including Stone Oak, Sugar Land, Sulphur Springs, The Woodlands, Waxahachie, Webster, Addison, Allen, Anna, Arlington, Austin, Carrollton, Celina, Clear Lake, Craig Ranch, Dallas, Euless, Flower Mound, Forney, Fort Worth, Frisco, Garland, Houston, Irving, Katy, Kaufman, Mansfield, McKinney, Mesquite, Midland, North Dallas, Odessa, Paris, Pecos, Plano, Prosper, Rockwall, Round Rock, Rowlett, Royce City, San Antonio, Sherman, South Dallas, Southlake, and more.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.