When Does an Ingrown Toenail Require Medical Treatment?

You probably don't think much about your toenails unless you’re a ballet dancer or get regular pedicures. A healthy toenail lies flat across the nail bed on your toe, but the pain gets your attention when your toenail grows into the flesh at the edge of your nail bed rather than straight out.

You may have gotten an ingrown toenail because of a toe injury. Or you may have habits that increase your risk, such as cutting your toenails on a curve rather than straight across or wearing tight or pointy shoes. If you get ingrown toenails often, you may have inherited curved nails or fleshy nail beds that require extra care.

Your big toes are most susceptible to ingrown nails, but any toe can develop one. You can treat your ingrown nail with over-the-counter numbing solutions or soaking your feet in warm water and then gently lifting the nail out of your flesh. 

However, some ingrown toenails require medical attention.

When should you run — or hop — to the podiatrist for ingrown toenail treatment? 

Here’s what Andrew R. Harrison, DPM, MS, a board-certified podiatrist with offices in the lower Pacific Heights area of San Francisco and San Jose, advises:

Red, hot, or oozing toe

Heat, redness, and pus are all signs that your toe may be infected, requiring immediate medical attention. Redness that spreads down your toe or across your foot is another sign of infection. Untreated nail infections can spread to other parts of your body, causing severe complications, including a bone infection, gangrene, and sepsis.

Extremely painful toe

If your ingrown toenail affects your gait or impairs your everyday routine, don’t try to endure the pain. Getting proper treatment for an ingrown toenail gives you relief so you can return to your normal activities as soon as possible.

Your toe doesn’t respond to self-treatment

If OTC remedies and hot-water soaks haven’t worked for you, it’s time to see the podiatrist. Expert ingrown toenail treatment is simple and fast.

You have diabetes or peripheral artery disease (PAD)

If you have diabetes or PAD, you should inspect your feet and toes daily. Both conditions affect sensation in your feet and toes, so you may not notice an injury or feel the pain of an ingrown nail. At the first sign of an ingrown toenail, seek treatment to reduce your risk of serious infection.

You get ingrown toenails frequently

If you have chronic ingrown toenails, Dr. Harrison may recommend surgery to correct the problem. He can remove the part of your nail bed blocking your toenail so it can grow healthy and straight.

A few minutes, and you’re back on your feet

Treatment for a common ingrown toenail is straightforward. Dr. Harrison numbs your toe and removes the portion of the nail that’s causing the problem.  

To get relief from your ingrown toenail and avoid the possibility of infection, call Dr. Harrison to book an appointment today or use the online form to request an appointment.