Ingrown Toenail Removal

We’ll spare you the pain and worry that comes with ingrown toenail removal. At Texas Foot Surgeons, we specialize in this common problem.

What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?

Ingrown toenails are very common and are easily treatable in most cases. An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail has grown into the skin on the side of the toenail bed, causing pain and inflammation. This happens most often on the big toe but could be on any of the toes where the nail hasn’t been cut correctly, the toes have been crowded in shoes or there has been repeated trauma to the feet.  

There can also be underlying structural abnormalities of the bone and epidermis that cause the nail to hook into the flesh beside the nail edge.

What Causes an Ingrown Toenail?

Signs of an infected ingrown toenail:

  • Pain
  • Redness and swelling
  • Drainage
  • Odor
 

Use Caution With Ingrown Toenail Treatment

Many people try treatment at home. This can cause serious complications, especially for patients with diabetes or circulatory disease. Do not try to cut the painful toenail back on an infected toe. This could easily make the infection worse.  Your best course of medical care is to see a podiatrist in our clinic to ensure use of sterile instruments, skilled procedures, a pain anesthetic and the right antibiotics for your infection.  You need treatment that is quick, nearly painless and permanently resolves your infected ingrown toenail.  These procedures are  covered by insurance and we will work you in the same day you call us so that your toe pain and infection can be treated urgently.  No waiting for relief and healing.

 

Proper Diagnosis and Treatment Is Important

Sometimes an ingrown toenail is more than just an ingrown toenail.  At Texas Foot Surgeons, our Board Certified foot and ankle specialist can ensure you get the right diagnosis and treatment, particularly in cases of chronic ingrown toenails.  A bone spur pushing up on the nail causing the corner to hook into the flesh can cause infected ingrown toenails.  An epidermal inclusion cyst in the proximal nail fold can cause the same problem.  These are just two conditions that, if not diagnosed and treated properly, can cause ingrown toenails - even when prevention procedures are followed at home.  

The type of toenail surgery recommended depends on your current health status, if infection is present and your history of ingrown toenail.  Most frequently, ingrown toenail removal includes a simple excision of the ingrown portion of the nail and, if needed, a topical or oral antibiotic medication to treat any infection.  If ingrown toenails are a chronic problem for you, our foot specialists perform a procedure to permanently prevent ingrown toenails from recurring. The corner of the nail that is ingrown, along with the matrix, or root of the nail area are removed by use of chemical matrixectomy.  Local anesthetic is used for the patients comfort. 

 
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Prevention

Prevention

  • Trim toenails properly by cutting them straight across, not longer than the tip of the toes. Do not dig into the corners and only gently round off the corner of the nail with a nail file. Use sterile toenail clippers and nail file.
  • Avoid shoes with pointy or narrow toe boxes.
  • Never rip or tear edges of nails.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an infected ingrown toenail shown above -  don’t wait to see if it will get better on its own. In most cases it won't.   Request a same day appointment for quick relief.