Norridge Ingrown Toenail Treatment
Norridge Podiatrist
Ingrown toenails can be very uncomfortable or even painful. At AFP Podiatry Norridge, we are dedicated to your complete foot health and that includes the diagnosis and treatment of ingrown toenails. It’s important not to ignore them. Left unaddressed, they can lead to complications. Our podiatrist in Norridge can help you to avoid getting ingrown toenails in the first place and will find the most appropriate treatment protocol to heal one if you do get it.
What is an ingrown toenail, exactly? It’s when your nail grows into your skin instead of over it as it normally would. It can occur in any toe, but it most commonly affects the big toe. There are several risk factors and causes for getting an ingrown toenail that you should be aware of. If you have nails that are curved or very thick, you are more prone to it. Ill-fitting shoes and improperly grooming your toenails, typically by cutting them too short or by rounding the edges (you should always square them), are common reasons for getting ingrown toenails. When this happens, the nail digs into the skin and can not only cause pain, but may become infected. Those who are diabetic, have vascular issues, or numbness in the toes should pay even greater attention because ingrown toenails that go untreated can possibly put the entire foot in jeopardy. The best way to avoid problems and get your foot back to normal is to make an appointment to be examined by our podiatrist in Norridge.
Since the most efficient way to approach an ingrown toenail is to have it trimmed professionally, that’s how it will be handled by our foot doctor. You’ll be given a local anesthetic to numb the area and ensure that you don’t feel any pain during your treatment. Topical medication will be applied and this help to prevent the nail from becoming ingrown again. A Band-Aid is then put over it until it is fully healed. The entire process should take no more than 15 minutes and you should be able to return to your normal routine, including work, the very same day. Chemical treatment is another way of handling ingrown toenails and is considered a more permanent solution. Our podiatrist in Norridge may discuss the benefits of this with you, particularly if you are prone to recurring ingrown toenails.