Taking care of your nails and feet is essential not only to prevent painful conditions, such as ingrown toenails, but also to keep those conditions from causing further, more severe damage. In fact, a condition as simple as an ingrown nail can lead to serious infection if left untreated. There are both home care and medical treatment options for ingrown toenails. If you have certain medical problems, including diabetes, it is especially important that you consult your physician when experiencing complications in your feet.
Identification
An ingrown toenail involves a nail growing into the skin on the side or corner of that nail. This typically occurs on the big toe but can happen with any nail. In some cases, an ingrown nail involves the skin itself growing over the sides of the nail. You may develop an ingrown toenail from cutting your nails too short or from having curved toenails. Wearing tight shoes that restrict your feet and crowd your toes is also a common cause for ingrowns. Sustaining an injury to a toe increases your chances of developing this condition as well.
Symptoms
Swelling and redness of the toe are typical signs that you have an ingrown toenail. The area may also feel hard to the touch. Your toe can be tender, making any pressure painful. You may notice pus at the site of the ingrown nail as well. Its presence usually signals that an infection has developed.
Home Care
You can treat an ingrown toenail at home in most cases. Soaking your feet in warm water will relieve symptoms and reduce swelling so that you have easier access to the ingrown site. Soaking your feet three times a day is recommended, according to MayoClinic.com. Placing a thin strip of cotton between the nail and the affected skin will help separate the two so that the nail can begin to grow over the skin. Apply over-the-counter antibiotic cream or ointment to the area before wrapping it with a bandage. Wearing loose-fitting or open shoes, such as sandals, will help keep pressure off your sore toe. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers to ease symptoms if needed.
Medical Treatment
See your physician if symptoms do not improve or worsen, particularly if the redness or pus increases. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent or treat infection. A medical procedure to remove part of your nail or the nail bed may be necessary when home care methods do not work or if you're having recurring ingrowns. A partial nail removal involves trimming the part of the nail that is ingrown. The procedure to remove both part of the nail and the nail bed will keep that portion of your toenail from growing back.
Warning
While ingrown toenails may seem like a minor nuisance, ignoring them can lead to a serious infection in the bones of your feet. If you have nerve or circulation problems, an ingrown toenail can be a major health concern. Sores, wounds and other injuries heal slowly when you have nerve damage or issues with blood circulation, which is commonly found in diabetics. Not getting medical treatment can lead to infection and eventually the death of the tissues in that area.
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