Ingrown Toenail Specialist

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail occurs when your toenail grows into your skin, instead of out and away from your toe. It's possible to clip your nail and reduce the risk of complications, but if you let the nail grow, it may result in an infection.

Almost everyone gets an ingrown toenail at least once, but if it’s a recurring issue, don’t wait to contact Dr. Christie and his caring team.

What are the symptoms of an ingrown toenail?

Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Redness
• Swollen skin around your affected toe

As the nail grows further into your skin, you might also experience an infection.

Should I see a podiatrist about an ingrown toenail?

Make an appointment with Dr. Christie and the team if you experience an ingrown toenail and it causes severe pain or pus oozes from your toe. That’s particularly true if you have diabetes or another chronic medical condition that affects blood flow to your feet.

What causes an ingrown toenail?

Ingrown toenails occur for various reasons, including:

• Wearing shoes that push your toes together
• Cutting your toenails at an angle
• Injuring a toenail
• Having curved toenails that grow down and into your skin
• Nail infections

Certain medical conditions may also increase your risk of an ingrown nail.

How is an ingrown toenail diagnosed?

To diagnose an ingrown toenail, Dr. Christie asks about your symptoms and has you remove your shoe and sock. It’s easy to see an ingrown toenail with a simple visual exam, but Dr. Christie might also order a series of X-rays to see if the infection has entered into the bone below.

How is an ingrown toenail treated?

Treatment of an ingrown toenail depends on various factors, including how far the nail grows into your skin, whether the nail’s infected, and the severity of your symptoms. Whatever the case, Dr. Christie and the team provide same-day care and use local anesthetics to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. 

After an exam and review of your medical records, Dr. Christie and the team might recommend:

• Lifting the nail, so it grows away from your toe
• Taping (a treatment that pulls the surrounding skin away from your nail)
• Placing a splint under the nail (to help your nail grow above the skin)
• Partially removing the nail
• Removing the entire nail and surrounding tissue

Ultimately, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain, reduce the risk of infection, and improve your quality of life.

To see if you’re a candidate for ingrown toenail treatment, make an appointment at Christie Foot & Ankle by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.