Most people assume that ingrown toenails are not worth medical attention, but if they are a repetitive problem or result in pain or discomfort, you should reach out to a skilled podiatrist for professional care. At Precision Footcare, located in Midtown East, NYC, certified podiatrist, Dr. John Jurcisin, DPM, ABPS, FACFAS, can offer you comprehensive foot care to treat the infections and prevent them from recurring. Schedule an appointment with the Midtown East ingrown toenail specialist by calling or book online.
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What is an ingrown toenail?
A toenail is ingrown if the side or corner of the nail grows into the neighboring skin. This condition usually affects the big toe and results in redness, swelling, pain, and at times cause infections. The most prevalent cause of an ingrown toenail is improper grooming. To avoid developing this condition, one should cut their toenails straight across. If they are extremely short or have jagged or rounded ends, there is a high likelihood they will become ingrown.
At times, ingrown toenails might be as a result of toe injuries. They might also occur as a responsive action to the pressure of your big toe, especially if you wear too tight shoes or socks. Fortunately, ingrown toenails are minor and easily treatable at your home. Nevertheless, if you have an ingrown toenail which is extremely painful, is infected, or won’t get better, let Dr. Jurcisin take a look.
Do I require treatment for my ingrown toenail?
Typically, you can evaluate how extreme your ingrown toenail is by how much it’s bothering you. If the pain, discomfort, or other symptoms are minor, it should be treatable with at-home care. These include bandaging the area, soaking feet in warm water, and applying antibiotic ointment on the affected area. If possible, you should wear open-toed shoes, such as sandals, because closed shoes may disturb your ingrown toenails.
If you notice any signs of infection in your ingrown toenail, you should schedule an appointment at Precision Footcare. The most common signs of infection are pus oozing from the nail, redness, swelling, and pain that’s getting worse. Dr. Jurcisin can manage your affected ingrown toenails using antibiotics. In rare occasions, you might require surgery to remove this infected part.
If you have diabetes or any other health condition that is affecting your circulation, it’s also advisable to get care for your ingrown toenail. With conditions such as diabetes, wounds and small cuts such as ingrown toenails may often result in infections with adverse complications. Proper foot care and early intervention can prevent this from occurring.
How To Prevent Ingrown Toenails
Even though ingrown toenails can be quite annoying and a repetitive problem, they can be prevented. It is vital to practice good hygiene and foot care. These include washing your toes and feet daily, cutting your toenails straight across, wearing socks and shoes that fit properly, and letting your feet breathe following a high-impact exercise, such as soccer and running.
In conclusion, Precision Footcare strives to make podiatric care easily accessible and not only meet, but exceed their patients’ expectations. To book an appointment or find out more information, call their office or use the online scheduling tool.