Ingrown nail

What causes an ingrown nail?

Ingrown nails are often caused by cutting the nails too short or curving the edges inward when trimming. Pressure from shoes or repetitive trauma can also cause the nail to grow into the skin.

What are signs of infection?

Redness, swelling, warmth, pain, and drainage may all be signs of infection. Infected ingrown nails should be treated by a provider.

Can I treat it at home?

Soaking the foot and keeping it clean can help mild cases, but if pain or swelling continues, it’s best to see a podiatrist. Avoid trying to dig out the nail yourself.

What happens during treatment?

In the office, we may gently remove the part of the nail that’s causing the problem. In recurring cases, a small procedure can be done to prevent that part of the nail from growing back.

Is the procedure painful?

The area is numbed before the nail is removed, so the procedure itself isn’t painful. Mild soreness afterward is common and usually goes away within a day or two.

Can it come back?

Yes, especially if the nail continues to be trimmed improperly or pressure on the toe continues. We may talk about long-term options if the problem keeps returning.