Can I Treat My Ingrown Toenail at Home?

An ingrown toenail is one of the most common reasons people schedule an appointment with Kaveh Panahi, DPM, and our team at Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

While professional treatment is a great way to minimize your risk for infection and other ingrown toenail complications, you may not need to travel to the office.

You can treat ingrown nails at home, and Dr. Panahi can show you how.

Why you have an ingrown toenail

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of your toenail grows into the nearby skin. The nail can grow through the tissue and ultimately lead to an infection, pain, and mobility issues.

One of the main causes of an ingrown toenail is improper nail cutting techniques. For instance, if you cut your toenails too short or unevenly, there’s a higher risk that the nail will grow into your skin.

Other issues that can contribute to an ingrown toenail include:

• Toe injuries
• Tight shoes
• Nerve damage
• Fungal infections

Poor blood circulation in the feet from diabetes or other medical conditions can also increase your risk for recurrent ingrown toenails.

Caring for an ingrown toenail

The decision whether to seek medical care for an ingrown toenail or deal with it yourself is a personal one, but there are some things to consider.

In general, if you have symptoms of an infection in the affected nail, you should schedule an appointment at Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Bacterial infection symptoms can include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Fluid discharge
• Skin discoloration

If you have a fungal infection, you might notice changes in the texture and color of your nails and feel itching or burning sensations in your toes.

We can provide topical or oral medications to clear the infection, whether it’s fungal or bacterial. Dr. Panahi can also use special instruments to remove the edge of your toenail from the skin and trim the rest of your nails properly to prevent additional complications.

In severe cases, you might need a minor in-office procedure to remove part or all of your nail.

When and how to care for your toenails at home

We recommend that people trim their toenails about every six weeks. Be sure to use sharp, sterilized clippers that are large enough to accommodate your nail’s length and thickness. Trim each nail straight across and use a file to remove sharp nail edges.

If you notice an ingrown toenail starting to form, you can take action to prevent it from worsening. Start by soaking your feet in warm, soapy water to soften nails. You can use a file to lift the edge of your nail away from the skin before trimming or filing it.

You should also take steps to prevent recurrent ingrown toenails, such as wearing shoes that fit well and keeping your feet clean and dry. If you have diabetes or other conditions that affect your foot health, schedule regular checkups with Dr. Panahi so he can check your ankles, feet, and toes for cuts, infections, and other issues.

Call Acacia Foot and Ankle Surgeons in Peoria or Phoenix, Arizona, today to schedule an evaluation for an ingrown toenail. You can also book an appointment online.