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1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066

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Foot Notes

Posts for tag: ingrown toenail

By Clark Podiatry Center
February 10, 2020
Category: Toenail problems

If you have an ingrown toenail, act fast. Without treatment, you may one day begin to notice that the skin surrounding your toenail is increasing in redness and pain. What is typically a simple fix may turn into a painful infection in need of much more attention. Dr. Brandon A. Macy and his team at Clark Podiatry Center want to share warning signs for a worsening ingrown toenail; they also want to share ways to avoid an infection.

What is an ingrown toenail?

When your toenail begins to dig into the surrounding skin, you have this condition. For most people, an ingrown toenail can be caused by an inherited toenail shape, an injury, or wearing the wrong type of footwear.

When can this condition become a problem?

If your toenail cuts or breaks the skin, you now have an open wound. Once this happens, you are at risk of developing an infection. Symptoms include increased redness and pain, swelling, or discharge near the ingrown toenail.

How can I prevent my toenail from becoming infected?

For mild cases, you can treat ingrown toenails with warm, soapy water. We always recommend that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist so that they can assess the severity of your condition. If you frequently have ingrown toenails, you have another reason to seek medical help.

Any suggestions on how to avoid an ingrown toenail from the start?

As with most conditions, prevention is key. While some people may have an increased likelihood of developing an ingrown toenail because of heredity, most people can prevent this condition by trimming their nails properly, wearing shoes that fit well, and being aware of injuries to the toenail.

If you have an ingrown toenail, come in for a visit as soon as possible. Please schedule an appointment with Dr. Brandon A. Macy of Clark Podiatry Center; he is a board-certified podiatrist at our Clark, New Jersey office. New Jersey’s Children’s Foot Health Institute is a part of the Clark Podiatry Center, too. Call 732-382-3470.

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August 22, 2019
Category: Toenail problems
Tags: foot pain   Foot Care   ingrown toenail  

A very common foot ailment is an ingrown toenail. An ingrown toenail is just that, a nail that has grown into the nail bed and if not taken care of can become infected. Most ingrown toenails occur in the big toe but can occur in all nails.

Symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:

  • Pain – can occur on both sides of the nail
  • Swelling - irritation in the toe will cause swelling
  • Redness – in and around the nail and nail bed
  • An infection of the toenail – can include infected liquid around the nail

If you believe you have an ingrown toenail, your best bet is to contact your podiatrist to make the right diagnosis. An infected ingrown toenail can get worse fast, so let a trained professional treat you and avoid any unnecessary future problems.

Causes of an ingrown toenail are:

  • Wearing shoes that are too tight – especially around the toes
  • Cutting toenails too short – injures the nail bed
  • Injured toes – can deform the nail’s growth
  • Unusually curved toenails – promotes ingrown growth

Treatments for an ingrown toenail include both those applied at home and by a doctor. Home treatments include:

  • Soaking your feet in warm water – this loosens up the skin in and around the toenails
  • Applying cream – anti-biotic cream to prevent infection
  • Pain relievers – ibuprofen or similar
  • Good supportive footwear – footwear that doesn’t crowd the toes

If these treatments don’t help, then you need to see a podiatrist who can do any of the following:

  • Lifting the nail – if not infected, the doctor can lift the nail and place cotton under its edge so it grows above the skin
  • Removing the nail – if infected this is a more severe treatment, but will stop the nail from growing into the nail bed 
  • Removing the nail and root – this is the most severe treatment as it removes the nail and the nail’s root preventing the nail from growing in the same spot again

If you believe you are developing an ingrown toenail or have any other foot concerns, please make an appointment with us. Dr. Brandon A. Macy, who is associated with New Jersey Children's Foot Health Institute, will assess your feet and find the appropriate treatments to get you back to being active. Call Clark Podiatry at (732) 382-3470.

 

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Podiatrist - Clark, Dr. Brandon Macy, 1114 Raritan Road, Clark NJ, 07066 732-382-3470