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Ingrown Toenail Procedures

Skin growing over the edge of a toenail or a toenail growing into the skin are two descriptions of the condition known as ingrown toenail. Trauma, improper trimming or genetics cause this problem. With an ingrown toenail, the side of the toe may become reddened, swollen and warm to the touch. It may make walking painful. If left untreated, an infection may occur. Proper care and treatment is essential for the ingrown toenail.

  1. Home Treatment

    • Before an infection occurs, home treatments help alleviate pain and may prevent the need for further, invasive treatment. Soak the affected toenail in warm water several times a day. Keep the toenail bed dry the remaining portion of the day. Wear shoes with a wide base in the toe area or open-toed shoes, such as sandals. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to decrease the pain and inflammation around the nail. Avoid cutting the skin or the toenail. Treat minor ingrown toenail symptoms at home for two to three days. If there is no improvement, or the condition worsens, consult a physician.

    Physician Treatment

    • If the skin surrounding the toenail is very red, hot to the touch or has a discharge issuing from it, there is probably an infection in the toe. Prescription oral antibiotics treat the infection. The physician evaluates the ingrown toenail to assess the need to remove it or excise the overgrown skin. A podiatrist may elect to trim or remove a portion of the affected nail in a simple office procedure.

    Surgical Options

    • Surgery offers a solution for recurrent ingrown toenail problems. This surgery includes removing a section of the toenail, usually just the small strip of toenail near the overgrown skin. This process leaves less of the nail bed exposed. Exposure of the nail bed is very painful. Removing a smaller portion of the nail promotes correct new growth of the nail. Normally, physicians perform the surgery in their office. A medication injected into the toe numbs the pain caused by the procedure. The physician uses scissors, a scalpel or chemicals to remove the section of toenail. For a permanent surgical solution to ingrown toenails, the physician destroys the toenail matrix during the procedure. The matrix grows the toenail. Once destroyed, the toenail will not grow again in that section of the toe.

    After-Surgery Care

    • After surgery, soak the toe in warm water several times a day until healed. Avoid strenuous activity for about a week. Keep the toe clean and dry. Apply antibiotic cream until the nail bed heals.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Cut toenails straight across. Do not round the corners of the nail. Keep feet clean and dry at all times. Avoid wearing thick socks. Wear shoes with adequate room for all toes.

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