Ingrown toenails are one of the most common foot-related conditions. They usually aren’t serious, but if you have diabetes or another condition that affects your circulation, an ingrown toenail may increase your risk of infection and other complications. At Christie Foot & Ankle, experienced podiatrist Drew Christie, DPM, and the team provide same-day care for ingrown toenails using safe and pain-free treatments. To make an appointment, call the office in Greenwood, Indiana, or book online today.
An ingrown toenail occurs when your toenail grows into your skin, instead of out and away from your toe. It's possible to clip your nail and reduce the risk of complications, but if you let the nail grow, it may result in an infection.
Almost everyone gets an ingrown toenail at least once, but if it’s a recurring issue, don’t wait to contact Dr. Christie and his caring team.
Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:
As the nail grows further into your skin, you might also experience an infection.
Make an appointment with Dr. Christie and the team if you experience an ingrown toenail and it causes severe pain or pus oozes from your toe. That’s particularly true if you have diabetes or another chronic medical condition that affects blood flow to your feet.
Ingrown toenails occur for various reasons, including:
Certain medical conditions may also increase your risk of an ingrown nail.
To diagnose an ingrown toenail, Dr. Christie asks about your symptoms and has you remove your shoe and sock. It’s easy to see an ingrown toenail with a simple visual exam, but Dr. Christie might also order a series of X-rays to see if the infection has entered into the bone below.
Treatment of an ingrown toenail depends on various factors, including how far the nail grows into your skin, whether the nail’s infected, and the severity of your symptoms. Whatever the case, Dr. Christie and the team provide same-day care and use local anesthetics to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible.
After an exam and review of your medical records, Dr. Christie and the team might recommend:
Ultimately, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain, reduce the risk of infection, and improve your quality of life.
To see if you’re a candidate for ingrown toenail treatment, make an appointment at Christie Foot & Ankle by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.
