Ingrown Nails Specialist

What are ingrown nails?

Ingrown nails describe a condition where the sides of your toenails begin growing into the surrounding skin. If left untreated, ingrown nails can become painful and increase your risk for an infection.

The most common cause of ingrown toenails is cutting your nails too short or at an improper angle. You might also be prone to ingrown toenails due to your genetic background or if you injure your toe or the nail.

When should I seek treatment for an ingrown toenail?

In some cases, you can treat an ingrown toenail in the early stages at home by soaking your foot in warm water before trimming and filing your nails.

However, if you have signs of an infection or you’re unable to properly trim your nails on your own, you should schedule an evaluation at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers. An infected toenail can cause symptoms in the affected toe like:

• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Warm to the touch

To prevent an infection or stop one from spreading, the podiatry team can treat your toenail in-office.

How are ingrown nails treated?

If you have an existing infection in your toenail, your South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers provider can prescribe a course of antibiotics to heal it. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers to treat your discomfort.

To help your toenail heal, the providers might need to remove part of your nail and some of the surrounding skin to prevent additional complications. If you have recurrent ingrown nail issues, they may remove the entire nail. You receive an anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure.

If you need your nail removed, it can take up to four months for it to regrow. The podiatry team will provide you with aftercare instructions to keep your nail safe and encourage the healthy growth of a new nail.

How do I prevent ingrown nails?

In addition to soaking your foot in warm water before trimming, it’s also important that you keep your feet clean and dry and avoid wearing shoes that are too narrow.

The South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers team can also show you how to trim your nails properly by cutting straight across without rounding off the corners. This helps to prevent the nail from growing back into the skin.

If you can’t treat painful, ingrown nails at home, schedule a diagnostic evaluation online or call the South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers nearest you today.