Getting Help With My Foot

Wearing shoes can cause a lot of pain when you are dealing with an ingrown toenail. Basically, an ingrown toenail means that it has grown in a manner in which it goes into the flesh surrounding it. The condition can vary in levels of severity, and sometimes the help of a podiatrist is needed to get rid of the problem. Even if you are able to tolerate the pain that the toenail is causing, it is important to get it examined by a podiatrist in case treatment is needed. Keep reading to learn a few important things about ingrown toenails and getting rid of them.

Why Does Someone Develop an Ingrown Toenail?

There are a few things that can lead to the formation of an ingrown toenail. For instance, wearing shoes that cause your toes to bunch up might be the reason for an ingrown toenail developing. It is wise to wear shoes that give your toes plenty of room to wiggle around. Do you have a problem that involves toenails growing in a curved and abnormal manner? If so, the way that your toenails are shaped can be responsible for the ingrown toenail.

Are There Symptoms Other Than Pain?

Although pain is the most difficult symptom involved with having an ingrown toenail, there are others that you should be aware of as well. You might notice that the skin surrounding your ingrown toenail is redder than usual, and likely before you even begin to experience a lot of pain. The redness comes about from the skin becoming inflamed. You might also experience a substantial amount of swelling in the area of skin that is affected by the ingrown toenail. The symptoms can continue to become worse, especially if your shoes are too small.

How Can a Podiatrist Treat an Ingrown Toenail?

Treating an ingrown toenail will depend on how severely it has affected your toe. For instance, an ingrown toenail that has not caused a serious infection and doesn't produce any pus can likely be treated by a podiatrist lifting it up and placing a small piece of cotton beneath it. Basically, the cotton will keep the toenail lifted and allow it to grow away from the skin. In serious cases, a podiatrist might need to remove a small part of the toenail and some of the soft tissue it has affected as well.

For more information, reach out to a podiatrist like Paul Greenberg.