Plagued by Ingrown Toenails? When to See a Podiatrist

Whether caused by improper nail trimming, tight shoes, or genetics, ingrown toenails can interfere with walking, exercising, or even sleeping comfortably.

Understanding when an ingrown toenail requires professional care is key to preventing complications and protecting your long-term foot health.

At Podiatry & Sports Medicine Associates P.C. in Park City and Chicago, Illinois, we offer treatments that relieve your pain and clear any infection. We also take nail care a step further by detailing ways to prevent ingrown toenails in the first place.

Check out these guidelines from our team on when an ingrown toenail needs professional treatment.

Understanding ingrown toenails

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a nail grows into the surrounding skin, most commonly on the big toe. The ingrowing frequently leads to redness, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes infection.

Mild cases may improve with proper home care, but persistent or severe ingrown toenails often require evaluation by a podiatrist.

Several factors increase your risk of ingrown toenails, including:

• Cutting toenails too short or rounding the edges
• Wearing tight or narrow shoes that compress the toes
• Toe injuries or repetitive pressure from sports
• Naturally curved or thick toenails
• Poor foot hygiene

People with diabetes, poor circulation, or compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to complications from ingrown toenails.

When home care isn’t enough

Soaking the foot in warm water, wearing open-toed shoes, and other home remedies may help with early, mild cases.

However, we recommend you stop self-treatment and schedule an appointment if you notice:

• Increasing pain or swelling
• Redness spreading beyond the toe
• Pus or drainage from the site
• Difficulty walking or completing daily activities due to discomfort
• No improvement after a few days of home care
• The ingrown nail keeps coming back

Ignoring these signs can allow an infection to worsen, potentially leading to more serious health issues. We also recommend scheduling an appointment sooner rather than later if you have diabetes, nerve damage, or circulation problems.

Professional treatments for ingrown toenails

Professional treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Options may include gently lifting or removing the ingrown portion of the nail, or treating the infection with topical or oral medication.

You may also benefit from a minor in-office procedure to permanently prevent the regrowth of the problematic nail edge. These procedures are typically quick, performed under local anesthesia to minimize discomfort, and provide significant pain relief.

Delaying treatment can lead to chronic infection, excessive tissue growth, or the need for more invasive procedures later. Prompt professional care is especially important for individuals with underlying health conditions that affect healing.

Take the next step

Ingrown toenails may be common, but they don’t have to control your comfort or mobility. Schedule an evaluation at Podiatry & Sports Medicine Associates P.C. today. Our goal is to keep your feet healthy and pain-free for the long run.