An ingrown toenail typically begins as a mild annoyance that is slightly painful to the touch. If not appropriately treated, it could soon become a distressing concern, making it hard to slide into your shoes, walk without limping, or simply take a step. In the worst-case scenario, an ingrown toenail could cause an infection to extend to your bone. Midtown East ingrown toenail specialist Dr. John Jurcisin focuses on foot and ankle care and has versatile expertise in maintaining toenails healthy. In this post, Dr. Jurcisin offers some insights on ingrown toenails and when you should arrange a podiatry visit for this issue. Continue reading to find out more.
What Are The Common Triggers of Ingrown Toenails?
Healthy toenails develop directly out of the nail grooves. On the other hand, an ingrown toenail develops when the front margin or side burrows uncomfortably into the soft tissue at the outer corners of your nail bed.
An ingrown toenail is one of the most prevalent nail problems that Dr. Jurcisin and his team address at Precision Footcare. These issues could be triggered by various factors, including:
o Ill-fitting shoes that pinch or squeeze your toes
o Injury from dropping a large object on your toenail, an accidental fall, or another traumatic event
o Having your toenails trimmed excessively short or in a curved pattern instead of straight across
o Hereditary factors; if one of your close relatives has developed the condition, chances are high you might too
Ingrown toenails could develop on either side of your nail bed. Nonetheless, whereas most people assume that the condition afflicts only the big toe as it is the most prevalent, you should note that it can also occur on other toenails.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of An Ingrown Toenail?
Often, an ingrown toenail initially suffers mild symptoms. You might feel a sense of discomfort when you touch the damaged nail, flex your toes, or fit into your beloved shoes.
Common indications that your condition is worsening include:
o Discomfort along one or both nail bed sides, even if you are not stroking your toe
o Pus, weeping drainage, and other signs of tissue infection around the nail groove
o Redness and inflammation on the afflicted toe
When Should You Schedule A Visit With The Podiatrist?
If you have diabetes or any other health problem that impairs your feet’ circulation, you are more likely to acquire infections that could jeopardize your whole health. As a result, it is best to arrange a podiatry visit the moment you discover even the tiniest signs of an ingrown toenail.
Diabetes and other medical concerns could also cause your feet to lose sensation; hence regular podiatry visits at Precision Footcare are necessary. These visits allow Dr. Jurcisin to keep track of your feet’s health and properly trim your nails to avoid the development of ingrown toenails. The expert team is also delighted to offer routine toenail care if you have trouble trimming your nails due to age or other issues.
Otherwise, you should podiatry care for our ingrown toenail if it triggers discomfort, or you observe redness, inflammation, or other symptoms. Even seemingly healthy persons can get an infection that spreads swiftly to the damaged toe’s bone.
Have you been having trouble with your foot since your big toe hurts? If so, an ingrown toenail might be the root cause of your concern. For top-level podiatry care for your ingrown toenail, contact Precision Footcare. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jurcisin through mobile or book online right away to explore your care options and discover one that best fits your unique concerns.