An ingrown toenail occurs when a toenail is abnormally curved and the sides of the toenail dig into the skin of the toe. The most common cause of an ingrown toenail is improperly trimmed nails. Trimming your nails to match the curve at the front of your toe can cause your toenail to dig into your skin as it regrows. You should make sure to trim your nails straight across and avoid cutting your nails too short or leaving them too long. 

Ingrown toenails can also be caused by genetics, toe injuries, fungal infection, or tight-fitting shoes that crowd your toes. Some people are more prone to ingrown toenails because of the abnormal curvature of their toenails. For others, ingrown toenails can be caused by repetitive activities like running, walking, and kicking, which puts pressure on the toes. Poor hygiene can also contribute to an ingrown toenail, as dirt, sweat, and dead skin can accumulate around the nail and cause it to become embedded in the skin.

Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:

• Redness in and around the affected toe
• Swelling of the skin around the affected toe
• Pain and tenderness of the affected area
• Formation of a pus-filled pocket or abscess on the toe
• Difficulty wearing shoes or walking
• An unpleasant odor coming from the affected toe
• Nail discoloration or thickening
• Skin growing over the edges of the nail

As the nail grows into your soft tissue, it can cause a great deal of inflammation and discomfort. In some cases, an ingrown toenail can lead to an infection of the tissues surrounding your nail.

For those with diabetes, poor circulation, or neuropathy, an ingrown toenail can be especially dangerous. It is important to check that your toenails are not digging into your skin as you may not feel any pain and the wounds created by the nail have a higher risk of becoming infected infection.

If you experience symptoms of an ingrown toenail, our foot health experts at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney can get you started on the path to quick and effective relief. 

Treatment depends on the severity of your ingrown toenail. Before determining the right treatment for your condition, your doctor performs a physical exam to check how embedded the nail is and if there are any signs of infection. 

If your condition is mild, your doctor may use a splint to lift the edge of the ingrown nail and place a small piece of gauze between the toe and nail to prevent further ingrowth. If your condition is more severe, your doctor may perform a simple procedure to remove the ingrown portion of your nail. For cases of repeated ingrown toenails, your doctor may remove the ingrown portion of your nail along with the underlying tissue. After treatment, your podiatrist will recommend the use of special shoes or padding to prevent further irritation of the toe.

At Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney, we use the latest techniques and technologies to achieve the best outcome for each patient. If you suffer from a painful ingrown toenail, book an appointment with our team of foot health experts today.