Ingrown toenails are a common problem; if you’ve ever had one, you know how painful and uncomfortable they can be. While they’re usually not serious and can typically be treated conservatively, they can become infected and cause potentially serious complications for people with diabetes. Anyone can develop an ingrown toenail, but you can take a couple of preventive measures to lower your risk. If you have diabetes, protecting your feet from even minor cuts or injuries is especially important. Dr. Larry Goldstein at Warner Robins Foot and Ankle in Warner Robins, GA, treats various foot and ankle problems, including ingrown toenails.

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

A toenail becomes ingrown when the edge of the nail digs into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and redness. In some cases, the pain can be severe enough to make walking or wearing shoes difficult. For individuals with diabetes, even minor foot problems like an ingrown toenail or blister can lead to serious complications due to peripheral neuropathy, which compromises blood flow and can cause nerve damage in the feet.

How to Prevent Ingrown Toenails

Here are a few tips to help lower your risk of developing an ingrown toenail:

• Cut your toenails straight across.
• Ensure your toenails are not too short or too long.
• Avoid wearing shoes that crowd the toes.
• Wear protective footwear in areas with a high risk of injury, such as something falling on your foot.

How to Treat an Ingrown Toenail

Most cases can be treated conservatively, depending on the severity of the pain and swelling:

• Soak the affected toe in warm water several times a day.
• If possible, try gently lifting the edge of the nail using cotton or dental floss.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil or Motrin.

If you’re experiencing severe pain, swelling, or signs of infection, it’s important not to treat the nail yourself. Instead, make an appointment to see Dr. Goldstein as soon as possible. If the nail is infected, you may need antibiotics. The podiatrist may need to cut and remove part of the nail for deeply embedded nails.

Contact Us for Ingrown Toenail Treatment

For more information on preventing or treating ingrown toenails and other foot and ankle conditions, contact Dr. Goldstein at Warner Robins Foot and Ankle in Warner Robins, GA, by calling (478) 328-2008 to schedule an appointment.