Ingrown Toenails Don't Stop Digging
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Ingrown toenails occur as toenails dig into nearby skin, causing the toe to become inflamed. As you can imagine, this is not a good feeling to have. When the toenail produces a curved shape and lodges in the skin in a deep manner, there can be an open wound that will allow for infections to occur from foreign contagions entering through it. This can complicate an already painful situation.
Ingrown toenails may be more likely to occur due to genetics, severe trauma damaging the toenails, cutting the nails too short, wearing shoes that are too snug or even fungal infections. Your toes can go through significant pain if you do not do something to stop the nails from digging into your skin. It will likely not get better until you seek proper medical attention.
Treatment for this condition includes:
Prescription antibiotics if there is an infection.
Surgery may be required to ease the pain and remove an infected nail. This can be accomplished by cutting an angled nail in the corner to stop that portion from hitting into the surrounding skin.
Another type of surgery would be to trim the toenail down to its root to drain any pending infection. This can be very helpful in destroying an infection that may have been lingering for a long period of time.
In other extreme cases, the whole toenail may have to be removed in order to prevent future infections and to thwart another ingrown toenail from growing back in.
Here at The Texas Foot Specialists, Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum provide expert and specialized care to address all of your foot and ankle needs. From conservative to advanced surgical treatments, you can always count on us for quality and compassionate care. Contact us online to make an appointment at one of our conveniently located offices in Sugar Land, Pasadena or Houston.