Treating Your Ingrown Toenails
When you have an ingrown toenail, you can try to treat it yourself at home, or you can seek out the expertise and care of one of the top podiatrists in the country, Dr. Tony Avakian. Dr. Avakian at Valencia Foot And Ankle Center in Valencia, CA, provides comprehensive podiatry services to celebrities, athletes, and people who want relief from foot problems, just like you. Dr. Avakian is the recipient of numerous awards including one of The Top Podiatrists in The Nation for 2009, and Ultimate Podiatrist for 2019-2022.
What You Need To Know About Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are caused when your toenail grows down into the surrounding skin. You may have an ingrown toenail if:
- Your toe looks dark, bruised, and swollen
- You feel pressure and pain in your toe
- You see blood or pus coming out from under your toenail
For mild, occasional ingrown toenail pain, you can try:
- Soaking your painful toe in warm water frequently during the day
- Placing a small piece of dental floss under your toenail to guide the toenail upward
- Applying antibiotic cream around your ingrown toenail
- Cushioning your toe with gauze or bandages
- Taking over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications
- Changing to open-toed shoes while your toe heals
If home remedies don’t help and your ingrown toenail is growing worse, your podiatrist can help with several treatment options. Your podiatrist may recommend:
- Lifting the toenail upward to separate it from the surrounding skin
- Cutting off the ingrown part of the toenail so the toenail can grow normally
- Removing the toenail completely, so a healthy toenail can grow in its place
You can take some important steps to help prevent ingrown toenails, including:
- Avoiding cutting your toenails too short
- Always cutting your toenails straight across
- Wearing appropriate shoes to protect your feet and toes
- Buying shoes with a wide toe box, so your toes aren’t crushed together
Want To Know More?
To learn more about the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment of an ingrown toenail, call Dr. Tony Avakian at Valencia Foot And Ankle Center in Valencia, CA. You can reach him in the office by calling (661) 288-2321, so call today.