Outstanding Care from Skilled Foot Doctors
Causes & Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail
An ingrown toenail occurs when the toenail cuts into the surrounding skin, typically on the big toe. There are various causes for this, including congenital curving of the nail, improper trimming, narrow shoes, or high heeled shoes. Additionally, toe deformities such as a bunion or toes that overlap can be culprits, as these increase pressure on neighboring toes. Changes in the nail due to fungus or previous trauma may also result in ingrown toenails. If you’re suffering from an ingrown toenail in Highland Park, IL, our award-winning podiatrists can help.
Patients with an ingrown toenail report symptoms that range from mild discomfort to prolonged and painful conditions, which become infected. When an infection occurs, the toenail area becomes red, swollen, and painful with possible pus and drainage. For some people, ingrown nails only occur once, while for others, it is a recurring problem.
Are There Home Treatments for Ingrown Toenails?
If you are prone to ingrown toenails, you should cut your nails rounded and keep them fairly short. This will prevent them from growing into the tip or side of the toe.
If your toenail does become red and inflamed, soak it in warm, soapy water with Epsom salts and carefully trim the nail. If this does not offer relief, make an appointment to see a podiatrist at Weil Foot & Ankle Institute.
How We Treat Ingrown Toenails – Mild or Recurring
For mild ingrown toenail conditions, our podiatrist may be able to simply cut the nail properly to ease your symptoms. If the area is infected, the doctor will numb your toe then remove the section of the nail that is causing the infection. Your toe will stay numb for several hours, but you will be able to perform light activities immediately, including driving. By the next day, your toe will generally feel around 90% better!
If your condition tends to recur and is very painful, there is a more permanent solution. Our podiatrist will numb your toe, remove the offending nail section, and put a chemical on the area to sterilize the cells that grow nails. This procedure ensures that the ingrown section of nail never grows back. The procedure has proven to be 95% effective with a high degree of patient satisfaction and little discomfort.
When you have exhausted conservative treatment options and still feel discomfort, consider a consultation with our podiatrist to discuss other surgical options.
Contact Us Today to Learn More About Our Treatment Options for Your Ingrown Toenail in Highland Park, IL!
Over 200,000 patients have found relief from their foot pain at Weil Foot & Ankle Institute and we’re confident we can help you, too. Your feet will thank you! For additional information on ingrown toenail treatment or to schedule an appointment, call Weil Foot & Ankle at (847) 390-7666. With 16 podiatry offices in and around the Chicago area, including Oak Park, Arlington Heights, Bannockburn, Chicago, Des Plaines, Flossmoor, Glenview, Highland Park Lemont, Libertyville, Lincoln Park, Roselle, & Tinley Park, Illinois (IL), there is sure to be a podiatry office near you!
If you are located close to downtown Chicago, we can treat your ingrown toenails immediately at our FAST Care Center, visit FastCareCenters.com for more details.
5-Star Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Oak Park, Arlington Heights, Bannockburn, Chicago, Des Plaines, Glenview, Highland Park, Lemont, Libertyville, Lincoln Park, Roselle, & Tinley Park, Illinois (IL).
