Ingrown toenails

By Hayley Iosue, DPM Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio

A significant portion of the patients we see—especially this time of year when people are going barefoot or wearing flip-flops—suffers from ingrown toenails.

This painful condition is caused when the corner or side of the nail grows into the flesh. It can be caused by genetics, some people are simply more prone to get them, as well as ill-fitting shoes that put pressure on the toes. The big toe is the most likely to have an ingrown nail.

Signs to look for include swelling, tenderness, pain, redness and drainage.

Once patients get an ingrown toenail, they are more prone to suffer from it in the future. We treat the ingrown nails by numbing the toe and removing the offending portion of the nail. Then we send the patient home with antibiotic cream and a care plan of soaking the foot in warm water and Epsom salts.

For someone who suffers from this condition a lot, there’s also a permanent procedure to remove the borders of the nails.

Some things you can do to prevent ingrown toenails include:

• Don’t clip your nails too short or rounded on the sides, they should be trimmed straight across.
• Toenail length should be even with the tips of your toes.
• Wear properly fitting shoes.
• Maintain good hygiene. Keep your feet clean.

Especially for high-risk patients, seniors or people with diabetes, a risk of infection makes ingrown toenails especially dangerous. Since diabetics suffer from poor blood flow, they are more prone to ingrown nails. We recommend routine foot checks, which are covered by insurance, every nine weeks.

Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio is located at 325 Center Street in Chardon. Same-day and next-day appointments are available. Request an appointment online or by calling 440-306-5359. The website is FasOhio.com.