What Causes Ingrown Toenails? Prevention and Treatment

If you live in Atlanta, GA, and often have ingrown toenails, you may need a podiatrist. When home remedies do not work, the doctors at Northside Podiatry are ready to assist you. Dr. Heather Morse, Dr. Raymond Noonan, and Dr. Abigail Skov can help you manage this uncomfortable toenail situation and prevent it from occurring again.

What Causes Toenails To Grow into the Skin?

Regular toenail clipping is essential for foot maintenance and health. However, you should be extra careful when trimming to avoid the toenails from growing back incorrectly. Rounded nails and irregular shapes can exacerbate the growth of ingrown nails. You should choose the correct footwear for your feet and activities. Regardless of how stylish some shoes are, if they squeeze your toes, it may not be wise to wear them. When your toes do not have room to move around a bit and have pressure put upon them, it can cause the nails to press into the skin. This toenail situation can also happen due to trauma or injury to the area. If you stub your toe harshly, it can damage the nail and cause it to grow improperly.

Keeping your feet clean can go a long way in preventing improper toenail growth. Make sure you have the right clipper to trim your toenails and clip carefully to avoid clipping the skin. If you are diabetic, you may want to see your podiatrist to provide nail management for you.

What Are Signs of Ingrown Toenails in Atlanta, GA?

The sides of the infected nail may be more tender. It may even be painful and begin to throb. It is common for the area to become inflamed and turn red. The toe may also swell, especially if infection sets in. All ingrown toenails do not become infected. However, if they go untreated, infection can quickly set in, which becomes obvious when you start seeing drainage from the area. You may also notice that the toe becomes warm, reddened, and even more painful to put into shoes.

How Can Treatment Help?

When you see your local podiatrist for ingrown toenails in Atlanta, GA, they may be able to stop the infection, should you see signs of it. They may use antibiotics to prevent bacteria from spreading. Surgical intervention may be needed for partial or complete toenail removal.

You do not have to live with the pain and discomfort of ingrown toenails in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Morse, Dr. Noonan, and Dr. Skov are the team at Northside Podiatry that you can trust with your foot care needs. Call us at (404) 843-0090 to make an appointment today.