Ingrown Toenail What to Do
If an ingrown toenail is present, a band-aid should be applied to protect the area. A topical antibiotic can be applied if there are signs of infection. An ingrown toenail can become infected if not treated, so an appointment with your local Podiatrist should be made.
How to Fix Ingrown Toenail
The best treatment for an ingrown toenail is to make an appointment with your local Podiatrist. The offending nail border can be removed under sterile conditions. If the patient is worried about the ingrown nail coming back, or if it has happened multiple times, an in-office procedure can be performed to permanently remove the nail. If an infection is present, the nail should be removed and a regimen of antibiotics might be started.
Ingrown Toenail Infection
An ingrown toenail infection might not only be painful, but can also rapidly worsen. The earlier an ingrown toenail infection is noticed and treated, the better the chance for a quick recovery. After applying a topical antibiotic and a band-aid, schedule an appointment to have the ingrown toenail border removed and possibly start an oral antibiotic regimen.
Ingrown Toenail Surgery
Most of the time an ingrown toenail can be treated in the office where an in-office procedure can be performed. After the toe is numbed with local anesthesia, there are a few options: a slant-back (where the nail is cut halfway down on the side), a partial nail avulsion (where the nail is cut all the way to down to the nail matrix), and a total nail avulsion (where the entire nail is removed).
The nail matrix (the part that forms new nail) can have a chemical applied to it in order to prevent the ingrown toenail from forming again. On rare occasions, a stubborn ingrown toenail has to be taken to the operating room.
Ingrown Toenail Doctor
A Podiatrist specializes in medical and surgical treatment of the foot and ankle. Contact a local Podiatry office to have an ingrown toenail evaluated and treated.
Ingrown Toenail Causes
An ingrown toenail might be caused by improper toenail trimming, injury to the nail, toe injury, or improper shoes.
