When Does an Ingrown Toenail Require Medical Treatment?

While ingrown toenails are common, they’re not always minor, and some patients may benefit from medical care early in the process to prevent complications. Most common on the big toe, ingrown nails occur when the edge of the nail grows into the skin, due to nail damage or close trimming. 

The podiatry department at the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Centers in Arverne, Far Rockaway, Jamaica, and Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York are here to help. The big question is, when does an ingrown toenail require medical treatment? 

Moderate to severe cases are perhaps best left to medical professionals, and sometimes, certain patients can be more vulnerable to foot complications, so even mild cases could benefit from specialist care. 

Causes of ingrown toenails

Any damage, cracking, or other irregular condition of a toenail could potentially grow into the skin. These can happen for many reasons, including: 

• Toe and toenail trauma
• Toenail trimming too short or too rounded at the corners
• Choice of footwear that creates pressure on the nails and toes
• Curved or thick natural nails
• The shape of your toes

You may be more at risk of ingrown nails if you have poor circulation in your feet, diabetes, frequent damage to your nails, or you sweat excessively from your feet. 

Early signs of ingrown toenails

With careful attention, you may detect ingrown nails in their earliest stages. Signs to watch for include: 

• Tenderness along one side of a nail
• Redness and/or swelling in the same location
• Discomfort or pain when wearing shoes
• Skin growing over the edge of a nail, with or without other symptoms

Mild cases of ingrown nails, with no signs of infection, can be appropriate to treat with conservative methods at home. Warm water soaks along with thorough drying at the end are the foundation of home care. 

Switch to wide-toed supportive footwear to minimize pressure on the affected toe. Don’t attempt to remove the ingrown portion, or dig under the nail. These efforts dramatically increase the chances of infection. 

Seek medical treatment when: 

Signs that it’s time to make an appointment with us include: 

• Moderate to severe pain that limits your daily life in some way
• Redness, swelling, and warmth increase after home care rather than improve
• The affected toe bleeds, drains pus, or smells foul
• Your ingrown nails frequently recur
• Your walking gait is affected by the toenail
• Signs that your toenail infection may be spreading

Patients with circulation problems, diabetes, immune system deficiencies, reduced sensation, nerve damage, or slow-healing wounds should seek attention immediately upon noticing an ingrown toenail starting. 

Contact the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center at our most convenient office. You can call 718-945-7150 or click the Schedule Now button on this page to book with the location of your choice. Book your appointment today.