Ingrown Toenail Specialist

What are ingrown toenails?

When the side of your nail grows into the soft skin around it, you have an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails can be tender to the touch, red, and swollen. Ingrown toenails are also susceptible to infection. 

People with diabetes are at particular risk of complications associated with ingrown toenails. At Las Vegas Footcare, Dr. Kelly provides comprehensive diabetic foot care, including ingrown toenail treatment. 

How do I know if I have an ingrown toenail?

Most often, ingrown toenails affect your big toe. You’ll feel slight pain and notice swelling in the flesh around the nail. Without treatment, your toe’s pain may increase and start to ooze pus — signs of infection. 

What causes ingrown toenails?

Simple toenail trimming habits can be responsible for your ingrown toenail. If you trim your nails too short or round the corners, it’s more likely you’ll develop an ingrown toenail.

Wearing shoes with a narrow toe box, toenail injury, or naturally curved toenails also increases your risk for ingrown toenails. 

How can I prevent ingrown toenails?

Avoid needing treatment for ingrown toenails by preventing them in the first place. The simple foot care you can take to avoid this uncomfortable condition include: 

• Trimming your toenails in a straight line
• Wearing shoes that fit properly
• Keeping your toenail length even with the tips of your toes
• Wearing protective footwear to avoid toenail injuries

People with diabetes should be especially diligent in these foot care practices. If you have diabetes and notice signs of an ingrown toenail, reach out to Dr. Kelly right away. Do not try to treat an ingrown toenail on your own. 

What treatments are available for ingrown toenails?

When creating your treatment plan, Dr. Kelly thoroughly evaluates your toenail and considers your health history. 

Mild ingrown toenails can improve with home care measures that include regular soaking in warm water, wearing roomy shoes, and taking over-the-counter pain medications for pain relief.

If you have an infection, Dr. Kelly may prescribe antibiotics.

Dr. Kelly also offers the Onyfix® nail correction system that allows for completely painless treatment of almost all forms of ingrown toenails. The system is adapted to your toe shape and gently coaxes your nail back into its natural shape, so it no longer pushes into your flesh. 

Onyfix gives you rapid pain relief, corrects naturally curved nails, and is particularly useful for those with diabetes.

Get the ingrown toenail care you need. Call Las Vegas Footcare today or use the online tool to schedule an appointment.