Treatment For Ingrown Toenails in Elgin, Illinois

If your toe looks dark and swollen, and you feel pressure and pain underneath your toenail, you could have an ingrown toenail. Podiatrist Dr Esther Lyon, DPM at Foot & Ankle Clinics in Elgin, can help.

What You Need To Know About an Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail occurs when your toenail grows into the surrounding skin of your toe.

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

You can develop an ingrown toenail from a few causes, including trauma or an injury to your toe or nail, having toenails that naturally curve under, cutting your toenails too short, rounding the corners of your toenails, or wearing narrow shoes that press your toes and toenails together.

Signs and Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail

You may have an ingrown toenail if you notice:

  • Swelling and pressure around your toenail
  • Bruising and redness around your toenail
  • Throbbing pain under and around your toenail
  • Your toenail separating from the nail bed
  • Blood or pus coming out from underneath your toenail

What You Can Do at Home To Treat an Ingrown Toenail

You may be able to get relief from an ingrown toenail if you:

  • Soak your toe in warm water several times daily.
  • Place a small piece of dental floss under your toenail to hold the toenail off the skin.
  • Apply antibiotic cream around your toenail.
  • Wrap your toe in bandaging to protect it.
  • Wear open-toe shoes or sandals to help your toes heal.

When You Should See a Podiatrist for an Ingrown Toenail

You should see a podiatrist if your ingrown toenail doesn’t respond to home therapies, is getting worse, or is keeping you from wearing shoes, standing, or walking without pain.

How a Podiatrist Can Treat an Ingrown Toenail

Your podiatrist offers several effective treatments for ingrown toenails and may recommend the following:

  • Trimming off the ingrown part of your toenail
  • Lifting and separating the toenail from the surrounding skin
  • Removing the entire toenail to promote growth of a healthy, new toenail

What You Can Do To Help Prevent Ingrown Toenails

  • To minimize your risk of developing an ingrown toenail, you need to:
  • Avoid cutting your toenails too short.
  • Trim your toenails straight across.
  • Wear protective shoes appropriate to the sport or activity you are doing.
  • Avoid going barefoot to keep from injuring your toes or toenails.

To find out more about the prevention and treatment of ingrown toenails and how your podiatrist can help, call Foot & Ankle Clinics at 224-448-7060.