Treating Your Ingrown Toenails

Suffering from an ingrown toenail? Dr. Jason White at Podiatry Solutions of WNY in Williamsville and Lockport, NY is the foot doctor to have on your side.

Treating Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails can be very uncomfortable and frustrating to deal with. They can make it painful to wear shoes or even walk, depending on the severity of them. While they do sometimes heal on their own, in most cases, they require care. In this guide, Dr. White and the team at Podiatry Solutions of WNY in Williamsville and Lockport, NY explain how ingrown toenails occur, steps you can take at home to heal them, and how a foot doctor can help.

What Causes Ingrown Toenails?

In many cases, ingrown toenails are the cause of shoe pressure. If your toes do not have proper space in your shoes, it can push the toenails into the skin. They can also occur if you cut your toenails too short and in a rounded shape. As they grow, they do so into the skin. Other causes can include trauma to the toe or fungal infections.

At-Home Treatment

You can often find relief from ingrown toenails by soaking your feet in warm salt water. It will also require that you address the issue that caused it in the first place, such as wearing shoes with a larger toe box. However, unless the ingrown toenail is in the beginning phases, this will likely only provide temporary relief. It’s wise to see a podiatrist when you’ve discovered you have an ingrown toenail.

Treatment for Ingrown Toenails

A podiatrist has several ways of treating ingrown toenails, depending on the severity. The first is to lift the nail so that it can grow properly. This is a very simple method that typically works in the beginning phases.

Once the ingrown toenail has developed further to the point that pus, redness, and pain are present, it may require partial removal of the nail. In the most severe cases, the full nail as well as some of the nail tissue may require removal through a laser procedure.

Keep in mind that while at-home care, such as soaking your foot, can provide relief, attempting to remove the nail yourself can cause additional problems. It’s best to see a podiatrist to ensure the safest and most effective care for your needs.

Visit your foot doctor Dr. Jason White at Podiatry Solutions of WNY in Williamsville and Lockport, NY for help. Schedule an appointment at our Williamsville office at (716) 634-5993 or the Lockport office at (716) 434-6601.