Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown Toenails Treatment in Chicago
An ingrown toenail is a common cause of foot pain that occurs when the side of a toenail begins to grow into the skin around it, rather than over it. This condition causes pain, redness, and swelling around the area of the affected nail. Your podiatrist in Chicago at Advanced Foot Care Center can offer a range of treatments to eliminate foot pain and prevent future recurrences of this common condition.
Proper Foot Hygiene to Prevent Ingrown Toenails
Proper foot hygiene is a simple and effective way to prevent these. If you have questions about how to best maintain your feet to prevent ingrown toenails and foot fungus, talk to your podiatrist for suggestions.
- Wash your feet once a day, paying attention to the space between your toes and the soles of your feet.
- Wear a fresh pair socks every day and wash each pair of used socks before wearing them again.
- Keep your toenails trimmed, rather than allowing them to grow too long. We recommend cutting your toenails straight across, rather than cutting with too much curvature.
- Inspect your feet regularly, especially if you feel any kind of foot pain. As soon as you notice anything, visit your foot doctor to address the problem promptly.
Surgery for Ingrown Toenails
In rarer, more serious cases like an infected ingrown toenail, they may require minor foot surgery to correct, particularly if an infection has developed around the nail. If your podiatrist decides surgery is your best option, this procedure can be performed while you are awake. Anesthetic is used to completely numb the toe before beginning.
He will remove any excess tissue around the nail, as well as some or all of the affected toenail. Additional tissue from the nail bed may also be removed to provide the nail with more room to grow if you suffer from chronic ingrown toenails. Any foot fungus or bacterial infection will be flushed away and the toe will be bandaged.
After surgery, follow your foot doctor’s instructions regarding changing the bandage, taking medication, and returning to check the progress of the surgical wound. You should plan to stay off the affected foot for at least a few days; your podiatrist will let you know when you can return to your normal activities.
At Advanced FootCare Center, our team of podiatrists serving Chicago is here to help you cultivate and maintain excellent foot health for life. Please call 773-472-1882 to schedule an appointment or to receive more information about treating and preventing ingrown toenails, foot pain, and plantar fasciitis.