Do you get ingrown toenails often? If so, find out why this might be happening to you.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the skin. While this most commonly occurs in the big toe, any toenail can be affected. As you might imagine, this condition can be rather painful and lead to redness and tenderness of the foot. So, what should you do if you have an ingrown toenail and when should you turn to our Alexandria, VA, Dr. Gregory Cardinal?

At-Home Care  

If you are a healthy individual who hasn’t been diagnosed with diabetes or poor circulation in your feet, then you will most likely be able to manage your symptoms on your own; however, if you have diabetes or poor circulation, you should immediately turn to your foot doctor in Alexandria, VA, if you are experiencing any changes in your feet. Even minor problems like an ingrown toenail or swelling can lead to more severe complications.  

Common remedies and at-home care include,  

• Soaking the feet for 15-20 minutes in warm water a few times a day 
• Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen 
• Wearing shoes and socks that don’t put pressure on the affected toenail 
• Placing a piece of cotton under the edge of the nail to lift it away from the skin 

Seeing a Doctor  

If you notice that your symptoms aren’t responding to at-home care, then this is the time to see a doctor. Sometimes at-home care only manages the pain but doesn’t improve the actual problem. You should also see a podiatrist for your ingrown toenail if you notice infection symptoms. Signs and symptoms of an infection include,  

• Significant and persistent pain 
• Bleeding 
• A pus-filled blister 
• Redness 
• Skin that is hard, swollen, and tender around the nail 

Sometimes our Alexandria, VA, podiatrist will need to remove part of the nail digging into the skin. Cotton may be placed under the nail as it grows back in to prevent another ingrown toenail from happening.  

Podiatrist in Motion wants to ensure that you are getting the proper foot care you need in Alexandria, VA, and the surrounding areas. If you’re dealing with an ingrown toenail, we even make house calls and may be able to treat the problem without having to come into the office. Call us at (703) 879-5155 to schedule an appointment.