Find Immediate And Permanent Relief For Acute And Chronic Ingrown Toenails
Now that summer is in its full effect, the health of your feet is important. Summertime brings feet out of the hibernation of shoes, and exposes them to the outside world with sandals and flip-flops. However, what if your toenails are not up for being exposed to the sun because of an ingrown toenail? Luckily, with the help of your Chicago podiatrist, you can say goodbye to painful ingrown toenails-whether acute or chronic.
Understanding Ingrown Toenails
Usually affecting the toenails, particularly the big toe, ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into the flesh instead of over it. If you have curved or thick nails, you may be more susceptible to ingrown toenails, although anyone can suffer from them as a result of an injury, poorly fitting shoes, or improper grooming of the feet. People with diabetes, vascular problems, or numbness in the toes need to be aggressive in treating and preventing ingrown toenails because they can lead to serious complications, including the risk of losing a limb.
Cutting your toenails too short or rounding the nail edges most commonly causes ingrown toenails. Wearing improperly fitting shoes or tight hosiery that press the nail into your toe can also cause ingrown toenails, in addition to injuring your toenail by stubbing or jamming your toe. If the condition that is causing the ingrown toenail continues, overgrowth of the tissue over the nail can lead to permanent changes in the tissue that can cause infection, more pain, and more swelling.
Immediate Relief for Acute Ingrown Toenails
As soon as you recognize an ingrown toenail, it is important to begin treatment immediately. In most cases of an acute ingrown toenail, relief can be obtained at home with a simple regimen:
*Soak your foot in warm water 3-4 times a day
*Dry thoroughly with a clean towel
*Keep your foot dry during the rest of the day
*Wear comfortable shoes with adequate room for the toes
*Apply a mild antiseptic solution to the area
*Bandage the toe
*You may take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief
If your pain continues or there is pus or redness that seems to be spreading, visit your Chicago podiatrist immediately. This may indicate that you need to have part of your nail removed and antibiotics prescribed for the infection.
Permanent Relief for Chronic Ingrown Toenails
If you experience excessive inflammation, swelling, pain and discharge your toenail is most likely infected and should be treated by your podiatrist in Chicago immediately. Oral antibiotics may be needed, in addition to the partial or complete removal of your nail. Your podiatrist can surgically remove a portion of the nail, a portion of the underlying nail bed, some of the adjacent soft tissues and even a part of the growth center.
Surgery is effective in eliminating the nail edge from growing inward and cutting into the fleshy folds as the toenail grows forward. Permanent removal of the nail may be advised for children with chronic, recurrent infected ingrown toenails.
If you are experiencing an ingrown toenail, visit your Chicago podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment so that you can enjoy this summer season without hiding your feet.
Understanding Ingrown Toenails
Usually affecting the toenails, particularly the big toe, ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into the flesh instead of over it. If you have curved or thick nails, you may be more susceptible to ingrown toenails, although anyone can suffer from them as a result of an injury, poorly fitting shoes, or improper grooming of the feet. People with diabetes, vascular problems, or numbness in the toes need to be aggressive in treating and preventing ingrown toenails because they can lead to serious complications, including the risk of losing a limb.
Cutting your toenails too short or rounding the nail edges most commonly causes ingrown toenails. Wearing improperly fitting shoes or tight hosiery that press the nail into your toe can also cause ingrown toenails, in addition to injuring your toenail by stubbing or jamming your toe. If the condition that is causing the ingrown toenail continues, overgrowth of the tissue over the nail can lead to permanent changes in the tissue that can cause infection, more pain, and more swelling.
Immediate Relief for Acute Ingrown Toenails
As soon as you recognize an ingrown toenail, it is important to begin treatment immediately. In most cases of an acute ingrown toenail, relief can be obtained at home with a simple regimen:
*Soak your foot in warm water 3-4 times a day
*Dry thoroughly with a clean towel
*Keep your foot dry during the rest of the day
*Wear comfortable shoes with adequate room for the toes
*Apply a mild antiseptic solution to the area
*Bandage the toe
*You may take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief
If your pain continues or there is pus or redness that seems to be spreading, visit your Chicago podiatrist immediately. This may indicate that you need to have part of your nail removed and antibiotics prescribed for the infection.
Permanent Relief for Chronic Ingrown Toenails
If you experience excessive inflammation, swelling, pain and discharge your toenail is most likely infected and should be treated by your podiatrist in Chicago immediately. Oral antibiotics may be needed, in addition to the partial or complete removal of your nail. Your podiatrist can surgically remove a portion of the nail, a portion of the underlying nail bed, some of the adjacent soft tissues and even a part of the growth center.
Surgery is effective in eliminating the nail edge from growing inward and cutting into the fleshy folds as the toenail grows forward. Permanent removal of the nail may be advised for children with chronic, recurrent infected ingrown toenails.
If you are experiencing an ingrown toenail, visit your Chicago podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment so that you can enjoy this summer season without hiding your feet.