Why You Shouldn't Ignore an Ingrown Toenail

You knew you shouldn’t have worn those pointy shoes in a half-size too small out dancingl. Now, you’ve got a throbbing, red ingrown toenail. 

An ingrown toenail occurs when part of your nail starts growing into the surrounding skin. In most cases, it affects the big toe. It’s surprising how such a seemingly tiny problem can cause so much pain.

At Feet First Institute of Beavercreek, Ohio, Board-Certified Podiatrist Stephan Giambi, DPM, has treated more than his share of ingrown toenails. If you’ve tried home remedies (see below) without relief, schedule an appointment with Dr. Giambi. Here’s why.

When ingrown toenails become a problem

In the early stages, you may be able to treat an ingrown toenail at home, by soaking your foot in warm water and placing dental floss under the edge of the nail to separate the nail from the skin. However, if your toenail starts to cut into the surrounding skin, bacteria can infiltrate the area and cause an infection.

If you don’t see signs of improvement within 2-3 days, schedule an appointment with a foot specialist, especially if you see signs of an infection.

Signs of an infected ingrown toenail include:

• Swelling or throbbing
• Reddened, warm, or inflamed skin
• Pain or tenderness
• Bleeding
• Oozing fluid, such as pus
• Foul smell
• Cracked, thick, or yellowing nails

Without treatment, a toenail infection can spread to the bones in your feet. This severe complication can require weeks of intravenous antibiotics and sometimes surgery. These hard-to-treat infections can also lead to gangrene, which requires surgical intervention to remove dead or dying tissue.

Knowing your risks 

Anyone with nerve damage, poor circulation, or diabetes, should seek immediate podiatry care for an ingrown toenail. These conditions can interfere with the healing process and increase your risk for infection and severe complications.

Ingrown toenails can also become a recurring problem, but Dr. Giambi can create a personalized treatment strategy to address your symptoms and prevent recurring issues.

Treating ingrown toenails

After evaluating your ingrown toenail, Dr. Giambi may recommend various therapies to ease your symptoms. These strategies could include soaking your foot in warm water, using antibiotic ointments, and bandaging the area. If you have an infection, he might also prescribe antibiotics or, if needed, remove part of your infected toenail.

The sooner you address an ingrown toenail, the easier they are to treat. Furthermore, you can help prevent getting ingrown toenails by doing the following:

• Wearing footwear that fits properly
• Washing your toes and feet daily
• Trimming toenails straight across (not rounding the corners)
• Giving your feet a chance to breathe after intense exercise

Dr. Giambi also offers diabetic foot care services to help prevent health-related foot problems. He can create a personalized daily routine to help you avoid ingrown toenails.

Book an appointment with Dr. Giambi at Feet First Institute of Beavercreek for expert ingrown toenail treatment and all of your foot care needs. Call the office at (937) 705-6100, or request an appointment online today.