If your big toe is throbbing and hurts when you put on shoes or walk, you may have an ingrown toenail, which is a common condition that occurs when a piece of your toenail cuts into the corner of your toe skin. 

Causes of ingrown toenails

There are many factors that contribute to an ingrown toenail, which usually affects your big toe:

• You bumped your toe
• Your shoes are too tight
• You’re genetically predisposed
• You cut your toenails too short
• You cut your toenails at an angle instead of straight across
• You dance, play sports, or have a job that requires you to put a lot of pressure on your toes
• You’re overweight
• You don’t clean and dry your feet properly

Home remedies for ingrown toenails

Fortunately, ingrown toenails aren’t usually serious, but they can be painful. You can treat them at home with some of the following remedies:

• Applying antibiotic ointment
• Taking pain medications like Advil® or Aleve®
• Soaking in Epsom salt
• Wearing a toe protector in your shoes
• Wearing loose shoes

When to seek a podiatrist for an ingrown toenail

There are times, however, when an ingrown toenail causes significant problems and requires some professional help. At Neuhaus Foot and Ankle, with multiple locations in Murfreesboro, Brentwood, Hermitage, Nashville, Waverly, Smyrna, and Lebanon, TN, our team of expert podiatrists offers some suggestions for when you should seek help at one of the clinics. 

It’s infected

If your toe is warm to the touch, has red streaks, or oozes pus, you should seek immediate care to prevent the infection from spreading to your soft tissues or bones.  

The pain is persistent

While an ingrown toenail is painful, it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your day-to-day activities. If the pain is slowing you down or keeping you up at night, see our team to get some much-needed relief.

You have diabetes

If you have diabetes, you already know you need to take extra precautions to care for your feet. Diabetics often suffer from reduced blood flow and nerve damage. Foot problems that stem from sores, calluses, ingrown toenails, and corns are primary reasons that diabetics seek care at a hospital. We can save you the trip.

You have vascular disease

A relatively small problem like an ingrown toenail can become a big deal if you have blood flow problems due to vascular disease. Nerve damage means that you often don’t discern the extent of a problem until the situation is advanced. 

Treating an ingrown toenail

To treat your ingrown toenail and alleviate your pain or infection, one of our skilled podiatrists gently lifts and removes the piece of your nail that’s causing the problem. We know your toe is sore and you’re in a lot of pain, so we use a local anesthetic to make sure you’re comfortable during the quick procedure.

In some cases, we may suggest lifting and splinting the nail instead of removing it. This helps train it to grow away from the skin and prevent future problems.

For fast relief from your ingrown toenail, call Neuhaus Foot and Ankle at 615-239-6207 or use the convenient online scheduling option.