Ingrown Toenail

What is an Ingrown Toenail?

An ingrown toenail happens when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe, typically the big toe. This condition can cause pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. It’s a common condition that can affect people of all ages, particularly those who wear shoes that don’t fit properly or who have toenails that are not trimmed correctly.

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

Pain and tenderness along one or both sides of the toenail
Redness around the toenail
Swelling of the toe around the nail
Infection of the tissue around the toenail in more severe cases

FAQ
Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown toenails can be caused by several factors:

Improper nail trimming: Cutting toenails too short or not straight across encourages the nail to grow into the skin.
Tight footwear: Shoes that are too tight can crowd the toes, pushing the skin into the nail plate.
Injury: Stubbing a toe or having a toe stepped on can cause a nail to grow abnormally.
Poor posture and gait: Walking in a way that places too much pressure on certain toes can contribute to nail problems.
Genetic predisposition: Some people are born with nail shapes that are more prone to becoming ingrown.

Diagnosis of an ingrown toenail typically involves a simple physical examination of the foot by a healthcare provider. If the toe is infected, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics and possibly recommend further treatments to remove the ingrown part of the nail.

Dr Buksh will evaluate and treat accordingly. Sometimes antibiotics are necessary when infection is present. While a nail procedure in office may sound painful, but Dr Buksh has performed thousands of procedures over his 26 years in practice. His methods are generally very effective and with minimal pain with local anesthesia used . Permanent procedures are performed normally with local anesthesia to help prevent recurrence. Recovery is immediate and instructions are provided for after care .

Consult a healthcare provider if home remedies don’t improve your symptoms or if you experience severe pain, redness, swelling, or signs of infection such as pus or red streaks radiating from the area. People with diabetes or circulatory problems should seek immediate medical attention if they develop an ingrown toenail due to the higher risk of complications.