Ingrown toenails can cause a variety of painful and uncomfortable symptoms. How can you manage ingrown toenails and incurvated nails? Keep reading to learn plenty of expert tips from expert NYC foot care professionals. Best Foot Doctor is the top-rated clinic for all podiatry needs, including ingrown toenail treatment in Brooklyn!
NYC’s Best Foot Doctor Discusses Ingrown and Incurvated Nails
An ingrown toenail is a condition of the foot that develops when a portion of the nail presses into the flesh. Symptoms of an ingrown toenail can include:
- Pain and tenderness
- Swelling
- Inflammation of the skin
- Formation of proud flesh (exaggerated swelling of the skin along the nail border)
- Infection
Ingrown toenails can develop due to a variety of reasons, such as trauma to the toenail (usually from stubbing the toe), wearing tight shoes, poor hygiene, and improper toenail clipping (cutting nails too short or at an angle).
Often confused with ingrown nails, incurvated nails are toenails that have grown curved. Incurvated nails are more prone to infection. This is because the shape of the nail can cause injury to the fleshy area of the foot.
Incurvated toenails that are left untreated develop into ingrown toenails. Both ingrown and incurvated toenails can cause trouble for anyone! What can you do to bring relief for ingrown toenails?
Read more in our blog: How Ingrown Toenails Affect Overall Foot Health
How Can I Deal with Ingrown Toenails?
You’re dealing with a painful ingrown toenail. What can you do? Our expert NYC foot care specialists have a few tips and tricks to help!
Manage your ingrown toenails by doing any of the following:
- Soak the afflicted foot in water and Epsom salts twice daily
- Ensure the foot stays dry to eliminate bacterial growth
- Toss the tight shoes and go for roomy shoes or sandals
- Antibiotic creams and a bandage can help alleviate painful symptoms
- Use a toe protector that provides a cushioning barrier for ingrown toenails
If you’ve exhausted home treatments and notice your ingrown toenail isn’t improving, the next step is to book a consultation at your NYC podiatry clinic.
Surgery may be the most effective option for relieving an ingrown toenail. Surgical options for ingrown toenails include:
- Laser surgery, which involves the use of a high-frequency laser to destroy the nail root or growth section and get rid of the fungal tissue and the nail
- Chemical cauterization, which involves removing one or both sides of a toenail and using a chemical agent
- Toenail surgery
Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus: Minimally Invasive | NYC
After removing an ingrown toenail, it is recommended to keep the foot elevated and avoid activities such as swimming. The podiatrist you are working with can recommend further care options.
The one thing it is recommended you never do with an ingrown toenail is attempt to cut it yourself. Attempting to remove the nail can worsen its condition. If home remedies do not seem to work, then it is best to consult with an expert podiatry clinic on your next visit.
How Can I Prevent Ingrown Toenails and Incurvated Nails?
Recommendations From an NYC Podiatrist
Though you may not be able to cure ingrown toenails yourself, you can take some steps to help prevent them. It all comes down to the care of your feet. Preventative measures for ingrown toenails include:
- Using the proper nail clipping techniques: clipping toenails straight across and not too short
- Wearing shoes that fit properly and allow your toes to rest flat
- Checking your feet for ingrown toenails (especially if you have diabetes)
Taking proper care of your feet can help ward off ingrown toenails and other foot conditions. However, when foot problems arise, the next best thing you can do is visit a podiatry clinic for a consultation.
Do You Need an Ingrown Toenail Doctor in NYC?
Ingrown toenails and incurvated nails can cause discomfort and unease for anyone. Luckily, there are steps to manage ingrown toenails that allow much-needed relief until further treatments can be applied. Oftentimes, ingrown toenail surgery may be the right call to get rid of the affected toenail and fungus, getting your feet back into tip-top shape.
Do you need treatment for an ingrown toenail in Brooklyn? Best Foot Doctor NY has you covered. When you need an ingrown toenail doctor in NYC or the surrounding areas, our team of experts is on call and ready to help. Our experts have compiled the tips above to help manage ingrown toenails, but a visit from us can help treat them for good. Contact us today to book your appointment!