Effective Relief for Ingrown Toenails
What is an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis) occurs when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh of the toe. This results in pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes, infection. The big toe is most commonly affected, but any toenail can become ingrown.
How Do Ingrown Toenails Happen?
The most common causes include cutting toenails too short or not straight across, wearing shoes that are too tight or narrow, and sustaining an injury to the toe. Some people are also genetically predisposed to developing them.
Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail
- Pain and tenderness in your toe along one or both sides of the nail.
- Redness and swelling around your toenail.
- Infection of the tissue around your toenail, which may result in drainage or pus.
- A feeling of pressure under the nail.
When to See a Podiatrist for an Ingrown Toenail
- You have severe pain, redness, or swelling.
- You see signs of infection, like pus or drainage.
- You have diabetes or poor circulation, which increases your risk of complications.
- At-home treatments have not provided relief after a few days.
Do not attempt 'bathroom surgery' to fix an ingrown toenail. This can worsen the problem and lead to a serious infection. Professional treatment is safe and effective.
The Persistent Pain of Ingrown Toenails
Why It Hurts So Much
The nail edge acts like a foreign body, constantly pressing into and irritating the sensitive skin of your toe. This constant pressure leads to inflammation and pain with every step you take, especially when wearing shoes.
Patient Experience
"The pain was so sharp, even the pressure of a bedsheet was unbearable. I couldn't wear my work shoes without wincing."
Professional treatment for an ingrown toenail is a simple, in-office procedure that provides immediate relief from the pressure and pain.
How We Treat Ingrown Toenails
For a simple ingrown toenail, Dr. Marzano can numb the toe and gently lift the nail edge, placing a splint underneath to help it grow correctly. For recurring or severe cases, a minor surgical procedure can be performed in the office to permanently remove the offending portion of the nail.
This procedure, called a matrixectomy, is highly effective and prevents the ingrown portion of the nail from growing back, providing a permanent solution to the problem.
End Your Ingrown Toenail Pain Today.
Don't suffer from a painful ingrown toenail any longer. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Marzano for fast and effective relief.