For minor cases of ingrown toenail, you can treat them at home with topical antibiotic creams and over the counter pain medicine. Soaking the infected toe also helps to soften the area and get that nail to grow properly above the skin.
A nail that is growing into the skin causes a great deal of pain, especially when walking. Over the counter pain medication should be able to take away the pain and help you get through the day. Pain medication is not enough for a severe case or ingrown toenails. If the ingrown toenail is causing a lot of pain, do not attempt to remove it on your own, also known as a “bathroom surgery”. This is the time when you need to go to a professional podiatrist.
If you think that you might be infected, you should see the foot doctor immediately. An infected ingrown toenail, if not treated can lead to a more serious issue. The infection can travel to the bone. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, oozing pus, and warmth to the touch.
For people with an underlying health condition that affects circulation to the feet such as diabetes, ingrown toenails should be treated by a podiatrist. People with diabetes commonly experience foot problems because their elevated blood sugar level affects the small blood vessels and nerve endings. This effect on blood flow and pain sensation of the feet puts these patients at a greater risk of infection and other complications. The same goes to people with other conditions that affect blood circulation such as peripheral artery disease or Raynaud’s disease.
Podiatrists are foot doctors who are experts in helping patients get treatment from ingrown toenails. They can also help you prevent it from growing back. Ingrown toenails are treated with simple in-office procedures.
If you have an ingrown toenail, it is important to go to a podiatrist. Do not try to remove the ingrown toenail yourself or go to a salon. You must prevent it getting worse with an infection. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our over 80 podiatrists.