What are Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails can be a particularly painful problem. They are caused by a combination of things including:

  • Toe structure: Toes that tend to turn outward will tend to cause the nail to grow in at the edges more than toes that are straight. If stubby toes run in your family you may tend to have more ingrown toenails.
  • Nail quality: Thin nails and nails that fragment easily also tend to run in families. These nails will tend to grow in more often.
  • Tight shoes: These will cause pressure against the border of the nail forcing it to grow down into the flesh.
  • Trauma to nail: Athletes whose toes hit the top and/or front of their shoes may develop ingrowth of nail. This also applies to toes that have had heavy objects dropped on them or have been stubbed.
  • Self-treatment: As most people do not have the proper instrumentation to remove a portion of nail that is ingrown, an improperly trimmed nail continues to grow into the flesh. This may lead to an infection. Pocket knives, sewing scissors, etc. do not qualify as proper instrumentation.

Treatment consists of removing the painful fragment of nail. You can have it removed temporarily or permanently. These procedures may both require local anesthetic to numb up the toe. Permanent removal is usually recommended if the problem is recurrent. These procedures are performed in the office. Healing is rapid with proper post-op care. Normal shoes can be worn as early as the next day after the procedure. It is best to see a foot doctor before the nail starts to drain. In some cases, toenail infections can cause more serious problems.

Post-operative Instructions Following Nail Surgery

  • Keep your foot clean and dry for 24 hours.
  • Make a mixture of 2 quarts of warm water (not hot) and 1/4 cup of Epsom Salts.
  • The first time you soak, you will soak your foot with the dressing on. After a few minutes, the dressing should come off easily.
  • After soaking, dry well. Apply Triple Antibiotic Ointment and a flexible fabric band-aid.
  • Soak twice a day for the first week. Soak once a day for the next two weeks.
  • Expect the wound to drain for approximately two to three weeks.
  • If you have any questions, please call the office.