Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails and When To See a Doctor
If you have an ingrown toenail, our team at Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute can help. Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd can help you find a foot doctor in Bozeman, and Butte, MT, that can handle your care needs. If you’re on the fence about this process or need to know more information, please read on to get the necessary insight into your overall care options.
Causes, Risk Factors, and Complications
Ingrown toenails may occur for many reasons. For example, some people wear shoes that push the nails closer together and may cause them to grow into the foot. However, you may cut your toenails too short or improperly, injure the nail, get an infection, or have curved nails that tend to grow into the skin. Risk factors that may worsen your likelihood of this issue include:
- Being a younger person who sweats more
- Poorly caring for your nails
- Participate in sports that require running or kicking
- Having diabetes or other conditions
An ingrown toenail is typically painful but not serious. However, people with diabetes may experience damaged nerves and cuts that don’t heal. This may lead to infections that could worsen your health. As a result, it’s critical to track your symptoms properly.
Symptoms and When to See a Doctor
A typical ingrown toenail will cause symptoms like inflamed skin, swelling, infections, and pain in the foot that may be hard to tolerate. Most cases don’t require immediate attention, but if you have infections that spread through your foot or a sore that won’t heal due to diabetes, it’s important to speak with our foot doctor immediately. Thankfully, Dr. Greene and Dr. Judd of Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute are here to help you with treatment.
Prevention and Treatment
Preventing ingrown toenails includes steps like:
- Trimming your toenails to a moderate length and straight across
- Wearing shoes that properly fit your feet
- Regularly checking your feet for symptoms
- Avoiding activities that might damage the nail
Treatment with our team includes lifting the nail carefully, taping it after removing it from the skin, adding a gutter split under the nail, removing the nail and some tissue, and helping you recover from surgery. This process can take 2-4 months from start to finish, so don’t be afraid to contact us immediately if you’re struggling.
Get the Help Needed To Recover
Please contact us at Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute to set up an appointment with Dr. Greene and Dr. Judd if you have an ingrown toenail. As one of the most trusted foot doctor options in Bozeman, and Butte, MT, we’re ready to help you recover. Please call us at (406) 782-2278 to learn more.
