Ingrown Toenails: When Toenail Pain Needs Professional Care
An ingrown toenail may begin as a small area of tenderness along the edge of the nail. At first, it might only hurt when you press on it or wear a certain pair of shoes. As the nail continues growing into the surrounding skin, however, the discomfort can become difficult to ignore.
Walking, exercising, standing at work, or even having a bedsheet touch the toe may become painful. The surrounding skin can also become increasingly red, swollen, and sensitive. In some cases, the nail can break the skin and create an opening where bacteria may enter.
At Foot & Ankle Centers, we evaluate ingrown toenails for patients throughout Frisco, Little Elm, McKinney, and nearby Allen. Early treatment can often help relieve discomfort before the condition becomes more inflamed or infected.
What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail develops when the side or corner of the nail grows into the surrounding skin instead of extending normally over it. The big toe is affected most often, although an ingrown nail can develop on any toe.
Several factors may contribute to the problem. Some patients naturally have toenails that curve inward, while others develop an ingrown nail after an injury or repeated pressure on the toes.
Common causes and contributing factors include:
- Cutting the toenails too short or rounding the corners
- Wearing shoes that crowd or compress the toes
- Injuring the toenail during sports or daily activities
- Having naturally curved, thick, or unusually shaped nails
- Experiencing repeated pressure from running, work shoes, or athletic footwear
Improper trimming is a frequent concern. Cutting deeply into the nail corners may provide temporary relief, but it can encourage the nail to grow into the skin again. Digging into the area with nail tools can also injure the skin and increase the risk of infection.
“Many patients come in after trying to cut out the painful corner themselves several times,” said Dr. Treleven. “They may get a little relief at first, but the pain keeps returning because the portion of the nail causing the problem is still growing into the skin.”
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
Mild tenderness without broken skin may sometimes improve with reduced pressure and proper foot care. However, a painful or worsening ingrown toenail should not be ignored.
Warning signs that the toe may need professional evaluation include:
- Increasing redness or swelling around the nail
- Pain that makes walking or wearing shoes difficult
- Warmth, drainage, pus, or an unpleasant odor
- Skin growing over the side of the nail
- Symptoms that return after repeated home trimming
Pain, inflamed skin, swelling, and infection are recognized symptoms of an ingrown toenail. People with diabetes, poor circulation, nerve damage, or other conditions that affect healing should avoid attempting to treat the nail themselves and seek professional care promptly.
Patients sometimes assume they should wait until drainage appears before scheduling an appointment. Drainage is already a possible sign of infection, however, and treatment may be simpler when the nail is evaluated before inflammation becomes severe.
How Ingrown Toenails Are Treated
Treatment depends on how deeply the nail has entered the skin, whether infection is present, and whether the problem has happened before.
During an examination, the podiatrist can evaluate the nail border, surrounding skin, circulation, and any signs of infection. The goal is to reduce pain while protecting the healthy portion of the nail whenever possible.
For a mild case, care may involve reducing pressure on the toe, reviewing proper trimming techniques, and protecting the irritated nail border. More painful or advanced cases may require removal of the portion of the nail that is pressing into the skin.
The toe is typically numbed before an in-office nail procedure. The problematic nail edge can then be removed without cutting away the entire toenail. When the same border repeatedly becomes ingrown, the podiatrist may discuss treating part of the nail root to help prevent that edge from growing back.
Patients should not attempt to recreate these procedures at home. Cutting deeply beneath the nail or using unsterilized tools can damage the surrounding tissue, leave part of the nail behind, and increase the risk of infection. Foot and ankle specialists specifically discourage attempting to dig out an ingrown toenail when infection is suspected.
Preventing Another Painful Nail
Although not every ingrown toenail can be prevented, a few habits may reduce repeated irritation.
Toenails should generally be trimmed straight across rather than curved deeply at the corners. They should be kept at a moderate length, since cutting them too short can allow the surrounding skin to fold over the edge.
Shoes should also provide enough room for the toes to move without rubbing or compression. This is especially important for athletes, runners, people who spend long hours standing, and anyone who wears protective work footwear.
Schedule Ingrown Toenail Relief
An ingrown toenail does not have to become severely infected before you seek care. Persistent tenderness, swelling, redness, drainage, or recurring pain are all reasons to have the toe evaluated.
Foot & Ankle Centers is conveniently located in Frisco, Little Elm, and McKinney for patients throughout the surrounding area, including those traveling from nearby Allen. Our podiatrists can identify what is causing the nail to grow incorrectly and recommend an appropriate treatment based on the condition of your toe.
Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and take the next step toward comfortable walking.
Published by the Foot & Ankle Centers podiatry team | Serving Frisco, Little Elm, and McKinney, TX | (972) 712-7773
Educational purposes only. Not medical advice.