Ingrown Toenails services offered in Holladay and West Jordan, UT
Ingrown toenails can cause chronic pain that won’t go away without treatment. If you have an ingrown toenail, Christiaan Goebel, DPM, and Weston Packard, DPM, at Salt Lake City Foot and Ankle Clinic in Utah can help. Serving the entire Salt Lake City and surrounding areas at their offices in Holladay and West Jordan, the experienced podiatrists specialize in ingrown toenail removal and guarantee that the problem will never return after their treatment. To benefit from the team’s expertise in resolving painful ingrown toenails, call Salt Lake City Foot and Ankle Clinic today or request an appointment online.
Ingrown Toenails Q&A
What are ingrown toenails?
Ingrown toenails happen when the side of the nail — usually on your big toe — grows into your skin rather than over it.
As the nail digs into the skin, the area becomes red, swollen, and painful. You might get an infection that produces pus. Some ingrown toenails curve deeply into the toe, causing throbbing pain and difficulty walking.
Why have I got an ingrown toenail?
One of the most likely reasons for an ingrown toenail is regularly wearing shoes that are too tight.
Another common cause is using an improper nail trimming technique. Cutting your toenails too short or leaving hang nails or sharp corners are common mistakes.
Some people’s nails are wider than average, and some have nails that naturally curve in the corners. Both these problems increase the risk of ingrown toenails developing.
What should I do if I have an ingrown toenail?
You can ease the pain of an ingrown toenail by soaking your feet in warm water and avoid tighter shoes. Once ingrown, attempting to “dig the corner out” at home with non sterile tools may put you at risk of worsening the condition and may lead to infection. It is best to seek professional care as soon as the nail becomes ingrown.
The Salt Lake City Foot and Ankle Clinic team offers fast and effective treatment for ingrown toenails. Mild to moderate ingrown toenails often improve with a splint or cotton under the nail that raises the ingrown portion away from your skin. If the ingrowth is more severe, your podiatrist can simply remove part or all of the ingrown toenail.
What does ingrown toenail removal involve?
Ingrown toenail removal (matrixectomy) is an in-office procedure that takes around 20 minutes. You have a local anesthetic injection, and your podiatrist removes the affected nail. You might feel some discomfort in the toe for a few days, but you should recover fully within two weeks.
You’re unlikely to need time off of work or school after your ingrown toenail removal at Salt Lake City Foot and Ankle Clinic. You can usually wear your regular shoes, and most patients don’t even need pain medication after ingrown toenail removal.
If your nail border is persistently painful and ingrown despite careful trimming, permanent toenail removal offers instant, permanent relief.
To benefit from the Salt Lake City Foot and Ankle Clinic team’s expertise in resolving ingrown toenail pain, call their nearest office or book an appointment online today.