Of all the foot and ankle conditions that exist, ingrown toenails tend to be the most common problem in children and adults. Foot conditions—specifically conditions involving the toes or toenails—do not often get a lot attention in the media or in the world of medicine. For many people, the toes are left as an afterthought until someone stubs one. Ingrown toenails, however, are very common occurrences and can occur in both children and adults. Adults should take care to therefore educate themselves and their children about ingrown toenails and how to prevent and treat them.
Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. To learn more, consult with Dr. Marc R. Frankel of The Frankel Foot and Ankle Center. Our doctors will provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
Causes
- Bacterial infections
- Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
- Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
- Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
- Genetic predisposition
Prevention
Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper-fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Milford, PA, Warwick, NY, and Middletown, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
