At first glance, an ingrown toenail seems like a minor problem. The redness, swelling, and pain are temporary and likely to go away on their own, right? Wrong. Your seemingly mild injury can quickly become a throbbing, infected wound. If you’ve noticed an ingrown toenail, you should consider scheduling a visit to the podiatrist sooner, rather than later.

At Optima Foot and Ankle in Bend, Oregon, podiatrists Dr. Laura Schweger and Dr. Evan Ross can identify a problematic ingrown toenail and provide short- and long-term treatment options.

Causes and effects of ingrown toenails

You might have already seen or experienced an ingrown toenail, or at least heard about them. They occur when the edges of your toenail grow into the skin of your toe, which causes pain and inflammation. The big toes are most commonly affected, but your other toenails can become ingrown as well.

There are a few common causes of ingrown toenails, including:

• Genetic predisposition
• Tight shoes and socks
• Frequently getting your feet wet
• Toenail trauma or injury (dropping something on your toes)
• Cutting your toenails improperly
• Thick or irregular toenails

Older people with thick toenails and teens with sweaty feet are prone to ingrown toenails, but you can get them at any age. While the issue might seem small at first, ingrown toenails can lead to serious complications.

Without proper treatment in the early stages, ingrown toenails can cause:

• Infection of the surrounding skin (or even bone)
• Open sores and ulcers on your feet
• Pus buildup
• Poor circulation in the feet and toes

If you have diabetes, an ingrown toenail can quickly become a seriously infected wound. That’s why it’s important to seek treatment as early as possible.

Ingrown toenail treatments

The first step to treating an ingrown toenail is to identify the symptoms and act quickly. If you notice redness and pain, begin soaking your feet a few times a day in warm water with Epsom salts. Push the skin away from your toenails and apply antibiotic ointment. Avoid wearing tight shoes, and change your socks often.

If the inflammation and swelling don’t improve in the first few days, schedule an appointment with your podiatrist. We can take a look and help you handle the issue before it gets worse. If you’re diabetic, you’re better off visiting your podiatrist right away. Diabetics should be extremely cautious when it comes to foot injuries because the loss of sensation in your feet can make you unaware you even have a problem.

Preventing ingrown toenails

If you want to avoid ingrown toenails in the future, here are a few tips that can keep your nails from growing improperly.

• Make sure to wear proper footwear when moving heavy objects, working with large animals, or playing outside
• Cut your toenails regularly, and cut them straight across
• Wear shoes with roomy toe boxes, and avoid wearing tight, pointy heels
• Check your feet daily for signs of inflammation or pain, especially if you’re diabetic

Have you noticed an ingrown toenail recently? Schedule a visit by calling 541-383-3668, or request an appointment online.