Are You Struggling with Ingrown Toenails?

Toenails are one of the smallest parts of our bodies, but the pain an ingrown toenail can cause is great. Many of us put our feet through daily stressors, from forcing them into shoes that are a little too narrow or a little too high to running around in improper footwear.

Ingrown toenails are a common ailment, and at Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists in Turnersville and Pennsauken, NJ, our podiatrists have helped many treat the condition, allowing them to get back on their feet and into their shoes sans any discomfort. If you have ingrown toenails, let us help!

What is an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toenails are common among athletes, people with diabetes or those who select shoes without proper fit and support. This can cause the nail to become imbedded into the skin on the side of your nail. The result is swelling, soreness, redness and pain, and without treatment you run the risk of developing sores. This leaves you susceptible to further ailments, from discharge to infection.

How is an ingrown toenail treated?

Your podiatrist at our Turnersville and Pennsauken offices will thoroughly examine your affected nail to determine the extent of the problem before making a recommendation for at home remedies or treatment in our office.

Treatments you can take on yourself may include soaking your toe in warm water to soften the skin, followed by the application of an antibiotic ointment. If you have intensive pain, your podiatrist can recommend a pain reliever from your drugstore. Remember to never attempt cutting or peeling away at your ingrown toenail, which will only exacerbate the problem.

If you have little success with in home treatment, our podiatrists may advise you undergo further treatment in our office. This may include the removal of part of the ingrown toenail or, if you have developed an infection, the prescribing of an antibiotic.

How do I prevent ingrown toenails?

Keeping your toenails healthy requires wearing socks and well fitting, supportive shoes. Make sure you select shoes designed for physical activity if you are a runner. When cutting your toenails, our podiatrists recommend cutting straight across and avoiding clipping them too short.

Visit the expert podiatrists at our Turnersville or Pennsauken, NJ, office if you are experiencing ingrown toenails or any painful foot conditions. Call us at (856) 875-8855 for our Turnersville, NJ, office or (856) 488-5290 for our Pennsauken, NJ, office.