An ingrown toenail is a common occurrence that can start as a minor annoyance but quickly lead to pain, swelling, redness, and infection as the sharp nail digs into your tender toe skin. You are also more likely to experience infections like fungal toenails, so be sure to see your foot doctor for proper ingrown toenail treatment.

Some common causes of ingrown toenails include the following:

• Haphazard toenail cutting method—This is likely the most common reason for toenails to start growing improperly. Try to cut your toenails straight across or on just a slight curve. Keep them a little longer than the toe tip. Have trimming done at your foot doctor’s office to avoid potential problems.
• Foot or toe injury—Stubbing your toe or dropping something heavy on your foot can damage the toenail and cause it to start growing inward.
• Shoes that are too tight—One of the major causes of ingrown toenails is from wearing tightly fitting shoes like high heels that push your toes together. The side pressure can cause toenails to grow into your tender skin causing pain, swelling, and infection.

 

If you are experiencing painful ingrown toenails see your foot doctor for the proper treatment and to prevent complications.

You can count on the foot doctors at Foot & Ankle Specialists, PC to provide fast relief for your aching feet using a full range of both conservative and surgical therapies. Our expert team, including board-certified podiatrists Dr. Scott E. Hughes, Dr. Greg P. Vogt, and Dr. Christine I. Tumele, serves patients of all ages with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies including onsite digital x-ray, ultrasound, diabetic shoes, and digital scanning for custom orthotics. For any questions or to make an appointment, please contact us at one of our Southeast Michigan facilities in Monroe (734-241-0200) and Lambertville (734-856-8900) (Bedford and Monroe counties). We also offer convenient house calls Monday through Thursday, so give us a call!