If you notice a bit of toe pain when you walk or wear certain shoes, you might be dealing with an ingrown toenail — a condition that can be quite painful and frustrating. In fact, you may be tempted to try some home remedies to find relief if it has started interfering with your ability to walk without pain. While there are some things you can do at home to help, you should be aware of how a podiatrist can help and when to see one. A podiatrist can offer several solutions that can relieve your pain and prevent your ingrown from coming back or getting worse. 

Continue reading to learn more about getting relief from ingrown toenails in Huntington Park.

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

Ingrown toenails are a common foot problem that affects around 20% of people who seek care for a foot-related issue. They often occur on the big toe but can also develop on other toes. Common causes of ingrown toenails include:

  • Improper nail trimming
  • Wearing tight-fitting shoes
  • Sustaining an injury to the toe

Ingrown toenails may not seem like a big deal at first, but without treatment, they can quickly become problematic, especially for an elderly person or a diabetic. People with diabetes tend to have poor circulation to the feet, which can lead to blood clots, damaged blood vessels, slower healing, and a higher risk of infection. 

What Are the Symptoms of an Ingrown Toenail?

Ingrown toenails can be painful and uncomfortable. If you think you have an ingrown toenail, you can check for these signs:

  • Pain and tenderness around the affected toe
  • Pain or tenderness around the affected toe that worsens if you apply pressure to the area
  • Part of your toenail curving and growing into the skin
  • Signs of localized infection like redness, swelling, and pus
  • Difficulty wearing shoes or walking comfortably 

Ingrown toenails won’t go away if you leave them alone. However, the level of care your ingrown toenail will need depends on how bad it is. For minor ingrowns, home care may be all that is necessary. For more severe ingrowns, going to a podiatrist is recommended. 

Four Things to Avoid When Dealing with Ingrown Toenails 

If you’ve got an ingrown toenail now, or if you’re hoping to avoid any in the future, there are a few things you should avoid:

1. Don’t Clip Your Toenails Too Short

Trimming your toenails too short can increase your risk of ingrown toenails and cause more problems if you are using this method to prevent future ingrowns. 

Instead, you should follow good foot care protocols and trim your toenails straight across and at medium length. Try these tips to help you avoid cutting your toenails too short: 

  • Use a nail file to file your nails instead of cutting them.
  • Soak your feet in warm water for several minutes before trimming your toenails, making them easier to cut or file.
  • Be sure not to rip your toenails, which can lead to ripping too closely to the nailbed.

If you are elderly, immobile, or diabetic, you should consider seeing a podiatrist to help you with routine nail care. 

2. Avoid Rounding Your Toenails

Rounding the edges of your toenails can cause the nail to grow into the surrounding skin and increase the likelihood of developing painful ingrown toenails. Instead, it's best to trim your toenails straight across to help prevent them from digging into the skin. 

3. Avoid Wearing Shoes That Are Too Tight or Uncomfortable

Wearing shoes that don’t fit well can put pressure on the toes and push toenails into the surrounding skin. Choose shoes that provide ample room for your toes and avoid styles that squeeze or constrict the toe area to prevent this. If you need help, a podiatrist can help you find the best shoe for your unique feet.

4. Watch for Signs of an Infected Toenail 

Ingrown toenails can become infected. Inspecting your feet routinely for possible signs of infection, especially if you’re dealing with ingrown toenails, it’s important — especially if you have nerve damage and aren’t able to feel sensations and pain in your feet the way you normally would. Signs of an infected ingrown toenail include: 

  • Increased pain around the affected toe.
  • Redness or swelling along the sides of the affected toe
  • Pus leaking from near your toenail or the skin near your ingrown toenail

If you notice signs of infection, seeking medical attention is important because a small infection can quickly become severe or lead to other complications. 

What to Do if You Have an Ingrown Toenail

If you have an ingrown toenail, keeping your feet clean and dry is important to help prevent infection. Additionally, you can soak your feet in Epsom salt to help with inflammation and apply antibiotic ointment to the affected area. 

The best way to have your ingrown toenail treated is to go to a podiatrist, where you can receive proper care. 

How Can a Podiatrist in Huntington Park Help Ingrown Toenails?

If you have an ingrown toenail, you may be tempted to treat it yourself, but home treatments can be uncomfortable and may not work if your ingrown is severe. The fastest way to get relief from ingrown toenails is to visit a podiatrist.

Podiatrists have access to several treatment options, including using specialized tools and techniques to provide fast pain relief. They can also help ensure that your toenail grows properly in the future so you don’t have to deal with another ingrown nail. Additionally, if your ingrown toenail is infected, a podiatrist can prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection and prevent further complications. 

In more severe cases, a podiatrist may need to perform a minor surgical procedure to remove the ingrown portion of the nail. This procedure, typically done with local anesthesia, involves removing the affected portion of the nail and applying a chemical to prevent regrowth.

Where to Find Ingrown Toenail Relief in Huntington Park, CA

As the old adage goes, take good care of your feet, and they’ll take good care of you. This is especially important if you are dealing with ingrown toenails that cause pain and can quickly turn into an infected ingrown toenail. 

Dr. Ebram Abdelmalak and his team at La Clínica de los Pies provide advanced treatment for ingrown toenails that can give you fast pain relief and help you avoid more ingrown toenails in the future. By using advanced techniques in a modern clinical setting, Dr. Abdelmalak and his team have your comfort as their highest priority — treating all foot issues, including ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, diabetic foot care, bunyon relief, and fungus treatments. 

Ready to get relief from ingrown toenails in Huntington Park?