Are you living with ingrown toenails? Be one and done with them!
Many people are suffering from painful ingrowing toenails and don’t know they can be treated permanently to the point where they never have to think about them again. Countless numbers have performed painful bathroom surgery where they had to dig out those ingrowns on a weekly or monthly basis and dread every minute of it and even the very thought of it. Often times thepainful toenails are preventing them from wearing the shoes they want, performing the activities they want, and their toenails are always on their mind. If someone steps on their toe, they step the wrong way, or they accidently bang their foot on something they are in incredible pain. If you are living with ingrown toenails you can have them treated permanently in about ten minutes.
What are ingrown toenails?
An ingrowing toenail is when the sides (or the borders) of the toenail grow into the skin of the toe. This can occur on the sides, at the base, at the end, or at multiple locations of the toenail. This invading of the nail plate into the skin folds causes irritation which can cause pain and swelling. In addition, when the nail penetrates through the skin bacteria enters the body and an infection can be created which can lead to severe pain, loss of function, and in some cases loss of the entire toe. When an infection is present the area becomes red, hot, swollen and there is usually a bad odor, drainage, or even pus present.
What causes ingrown toenails?
There are many underlying causes of ingrown toenails from genetics to environmental factors. Some of these are:
–Hereditary factors play a role in the shape of the toenails and size and shape of the skin around the toenails. Many times if your parents complained of painful ingrowing toenails you will have them if you are not mindful of environmental factors.
–Cutting the toenails inappropriately can lead to ingrown toenails. When the nails are cut very short the skin folds can overgrow the toenail which will direct the nail into the skin.
–Wearing shoes or even socks that are too tight can cause the skin of the toenails to be pushed up against the toenails causing them to act as a sharp object that can irritate or even penetrate the skin causing pain and possibly infection.
–When the toenails get traumatized, whether one large incident like an object falling on a toe or repetitive micro injuries such as kicking a ball or running, the nail border can get pushed into the skin of the toe and start the process of the nail growing into the skin.
–Certain nail conditions can make a toenail more susceptible to getting ingrown such as fungal toenails or a repeatedly traumatized nail that has become deformed with curved or thick borders. These irregular nails are more prone to ingrown toenails because the deformity increases the pressure to the nails and subsequently irritate the skin.
How do you treat an ingrown toenail?
First line care of ingrown toenails without an infection would be to protect the area from pressure (such as from tight shoes and socks) and perform Epsom salt foot soaks in warm water.
Things to avoid when treating: cutting a notch into the nail, repeatedly trimming the toenail borders back, placing cotton under the nail border, using over-the-counter medications
See your podiatrist when the ingrown toenail is not improving with first line treatments or if thetoe is infected (red, hot, swollen, with drainage or pus). If the toe is infected sometimes antibiotics will need to be prescribed for 10-14 days. A simple procedure can then be performed to remove the toenail border(s).
The “one and done procedure” only takes about 10 minutes and you can get it done today and be rid of your ingrowns for good.
If the ingrown toenail problem is chronic the nail border may be removed permanently. The toe will need to be numbed and then the problematic borders can be removed. A chemical will then be applied to the root of the toenail which will destroy it permanently (the sliver of nail removed should not grow back). The procedure takes about 10 minutes in the office and you can walk on the foot the same day. The healing process takes between 1-3 weeks.
How to prevent ingrown toenails?
Ingrown toenails can often be prevented. When cutting the toenails try and cut them straight across and avoid cutting them too short. Make sure you can fit a fingernail under the corner of the toenail. Avoid wearing tight socks and shoes as well as shoes that are loose. These will increase the pushing and pressure on the toenails which may redirect the nails into the skin folds. Loose shoes can cause the toes to bang into the front of the shoe with each step while walking or running.