Because the top podiatry team at The Foot Doctors of Santa Cruz County understands that an ingrown toenail isn’t anything to be taken lightly – it can lead to a serious infection – they can treat you right in the office. They offer flexible scheduling for ingrown toenail procedures at their Watsonville and Santa Cruz, California, clinic locations. Book your ingrown toenail evaluation by requesting an appointment online, or by calling your closest office.
Ingrown Toenail Q & A
What causes an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when part of your toenail starts growing into your skin. The more your nail grows, the more and more embedded it becomes in your skin. Sometimes, ingrown toenails are just a side effect of your natural nail shape and occur regularly because your nail is overly curved.
In most cases, though, ingrown toenails occur because of improper nail trimming. If you cut your toenails too short, tear them, or round out the edges, your toenail is more likely to become ingrown as it continues to develop.
Occasionally, you might develop an ingrown toenail because of regularly wearing shoes that are too snug near your toes. Other times, ingrown nails form due to trauma or toe injury.
Are there symptoms of an ingrown toenail?
Yes. One of the most common complaints among ingrown toenail sufferers is throbbing pain that seems to come out of nowhere. You might also notice:
- Swelling or redness around your nail
- Pus or oozing next to your toenail bed
- Tenderness while putting weight on the affected toe
Since ingrown toenails can become infected rather quickly and continue to get worse as your toenail grows, it’s important to get treatment at the first sign.
What is the treatment for an ingrown toenail?
Treating an ingrown toenail involves removing the portion of your nail that’s causing the problem and if needed, treating the underlying infection with topical or oral antibiotics. The team at The Foot Doctors of Santa Cruz County offer two separate in-office procedures – described below – depending on your needs.
Partial removal
A partial or temporary ingrown toenail procedure involves removing the border of your nail that is ingrown. This surgery, which can include numbing your toe, is ideal if you have an acute issue that doesn’t occur regularly.
Matricectomy
A matricectomy involves numbing your toe and removing the ingrown border of your nail, too. But your podiatrist also treats the skin underneath your nail with a phenol chemical, to prevent the nail from growing back. You may benefit from this type of procedure if your toenail continues to become ingrown.
Get relief from painful ingrown toenail issues once and for all at The Foot Doctors of Santa Cruz County. Schedule online or over the phone.