Ingrown Toenails in McAllen & Weslaco, TX
Ingrown toenails are ugly and painful. They are also a common toe issue which can make it difficult to wear shoes, stand, and walk around.
Causes of Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including:
- Trauma or an injury to your toenail
- Cutting your toenails too short
- Rounding the ends of your toenails
- Have toenails that curve under naturally
- Wearing narrow shoes that crush your toes together
Signs and Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails
You may have an ingrown toenail if you:
- Feel throbbing and pressure under your toenail
- Notice your toe getting dark and looking bruised
- Experience swelling in your toe
- See fluid, blood, or pus coming out from under your toenail
Ways To Prevent Ingrown Toenails
You can do a lot to prevent ingrown toenails. Remember to:
- Cut your toenails straight across
- Don’t cut your toenails too short
- Wear comfortable, protective shoes to avoid a toe injury
- Wear wider shoes with enough room for your toes
What You Can Do About an Ingrown Toenail
You can try a few simple tips to treat an ingrown toenail. Consider:
- Soaking your toes in warm water daily
- Trying to gently lift your toenail up off the surrounding skin
- Placing a small piece of dental floss under your toenail to try to lift it up
- Cushioning your toes with bandages or cotton
- Wearing sandals until your ingrown toenail heals
Professional Treatments for Ingrown Toenails
Our podiatrists have several options to heal an ingrown toenail, including:
- Lifting and separating your toenail from the skin around it
- Trimming off the ingrown part of your toenail
- Removing the entire toenail so a healthy new toenail can grow
