Ingrown toenails are common, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept discomfort and altered toenail appearance as inevitable. Through the care of Murad Abdel-Qader, DPM, at Advanced Family Foot Care Centers in San Antonio, Texas, you can achieve healthy toenails that look and feel great. The process begins with a simple phone call or a few moments on the online scheduling page, so make today the day you take a step closer to pain-free toes.
An ingrown toenail is one that doesn’t grow properly from the nailbed out toward the edge of your toes. Virtually everyone experiences an ingrown toenail at some point, but many people suffer the condition regularly.
Wearing tight shoes can cause the sides of your toenails to begin to grow downward into the skin on the sides of your toenails. More commonly, ingrown toenails are brought on by the manner in which you trim your nails.
Many people cut their toenails in a rounded shape, similar to the shape of the ends of your toes. This can cause the sides of your toenails to continue to follow this rounded shape, eventually digging into your skin.
The first sign of an ingrown toenail is usually soreness around the edge of the nail. You might also notice additional symptoms, including:
Some ingrown toenails heal on their own as your nail eventually grows outward away from the affected skin. In other cases, intervention is needed to address the problem.
If you think you have an ingrown toenail, you may be able to relieve discomfort through self-care. Try these at-home treatments:
If your toenail doesn’t improve after a couple of days, you may need more in-depth treatment. A minor surgical procedure can help by removing a portion of your toenail or the underlying nail bed to prevent improper nail growth.
These are outpatient procedures and usually require only local anesthetic. Depending on the amount of tissue removed, your nail should return to normal within a couple of weeks.
Learn more about your options for treating ingrown toenails during a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Abdel-Qader. Booking a visit takes just moments online, or you’re always welcome to call the office to speak with a friendly team member.
