When to See a Doctor for an Ingrown Toenail

Ingrown toenails aren’t just annoying and upsetting to look at. They can be very painful, affecting your ability to put on shoes and stay mobile. Fortunately, your podiatrist can help. The podiatrists at Connecticut Foot Care Centers offer a wide range of foot care services, including treatment of an ingrown toenail. They have several convenient offices located in Rocky Hill, Newington, Middletown, Glastonbury, Bristol, and Kensington, CT.

What You Need to Know about Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are when a toenail grows into the skin surrounding it. You can help prevent ingrown toenails if you:

• Cut your toenails straight across, with no rounded corners
• Don’t cut your toenails too short
• Wear protective shoes to avoid toenail injuries

So, how do you know if you have an ingrown toenail? You may:

• Feel pain and pressure under your toenail
• Notice swelling, redness, and bruising under and around your toenail
• See pus or blood coming from underneath your toenail

You can try a few easy remedies at home to get relief from an ingrown toenail. You can:

• Soak your toe in warm water for several minutes
• Place dental floss or gauze underneath your nail to lift it back up
• Apply antibiotic cream around your toenail
• Bandage your toenail to protect it
• Wear open-toe shoes until your toe heals

However, this may not be enough. You should visit your podiatrist for ingrown toenail treatment if:

• Home remedies aren’t working
• Your symptoms are getting worse
• Your mobility is affected
• You have a condition such as diabetes that could interfere with healing or your ability to feel if something is wrong

Your podiatrist has several effective methods to treat an ingrown toenail and may recommend:

• Professionally shaving or trimming your toenail to reduce pressure
• Lifting the toenail to allow it to grow freely
• Removing the toenail completely so a new, healthy toenail can grow

Want to Know More About Ingrown Toenails?

To learn more about the causes, signs, and symptoms of an ingrown toenail and when to see a doctor, call the podiatrists at Connecticut Foot Care Centers. You can reach them in:

• Rocky Hill, CT, by calling (860) 563-1200
• Newington, CT, by calling (860) 666-2078
• Middletown, CT, by calling (860) 346-5226
• Glastonbury, CT by calling (860) 633-6749
• Bristol, CT, by calling (860) 582-0747
• Kensington, CT, by calling (860) 828-9455

Call now!