One of the most common nail impairments is an ingrown toenail. This is when the sides of the nail digs and grows into the skin surrounding it. This almost always leads to pain, irritation, swelling, and redness in the toes. If you have toenails that are growing into the flesh and causing you pain or discomfort, you should consider visiting a foot doctor. If you are in the El Paso area and are having issues with ingrown toenails, Dr. Juan A. Gonzalez, DPM, can assist you today. There is nothing worse than foot pain and it can really affect your overall mobility. Visiting a foot specialist will allow you to receive diagnoses and treatment for your ingrown toenail or other foot issues.
The big toe is the most common toe affected by ingrown toenail issues. It can become painful and very infected if you do not seek treatment immediately. So what causes ingrown toenails to be an issue in the first place? Usually, if you do not trim your nails properly and often, they can grow too long and into the flesh surrounding the nail. Shoe pressure on your toes can also press the nails down and cause them to grow this way. Chances are you will probably want to avoid getting ingrown toenails at all. However, if you do get one, you will want to visit a foot doctor as soon as possible. If you experience toenail pain, odor, drainage, or redness and swelling, you will want to get to the doctor as soon as you possibly can. All of these symptoms point toward a serious ingrown toenail issue.
A foot doctor will be able to help assist you in treating your ingrown toenail while giving you advice on how to avoid the issue resurfacing in the future. Your doctor will more-than-likely advise you to soak your feet in salt water and then place antiseptic and a band-aid on the problem area. This will keep it clean and protected from your shoes and dirt on the ground that could make it worse. In-home treatments can sometimes work but if you see that it is getting worse, you should call a foot specialist. A foot doctor can provide you with a prescription for a topical or oral medication to help with the symptoms of the ingrown toenail as well. They can also help remove the toenail area that is attached to the skin.
If you are in El Paso and need assistance with your ingrown toenail issues, Dr. Juan A. Gonzalez, DPM, can assist you with diagnoses and treatment today. He and his team have years of experience and know exactly how to help you feel your best. He will not only help you find a treatment but will also give you excellent advice on how to prevent it from happening again. If you would like more information on how he can assist you and your feet, feel free to give his office a call today.