Ingrown nails
Painful irritation caused by a nail growing into the skin
The Basics Explained
What Is an Ingrown nail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or side of a nail presses into the surrounding skin instead of growing straight outward. This can lead to tenderness, swelling, and redness along the nail border. While the condition most commonly affects the big toe, it can occur on any toenail and may worsen if not properly treated.
Ongoing irritation can cause the skin to break down over time, increasing the risk of infection and making everyday activities more difficult.
The Basics Explained
What Is an Ingrown nail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or side of a nail presses into the surrounding skin instead of growing straight outward. This can lead to tenderness, swelling, and redness along the nail border. While the condition most commonly affects the big toe, it can occur on any toenail and may worsen if not properly treated.
Ongoing irritation can cause the skin to break down over time, increasing the risk of infection and making everyday activities more difficult.
The Basics Explained
What Is an Ingrown nail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or side of a nail presses into the surrounding skin instead of growing straight outward. This can lead to tenderness, swelling, and redness along the nail border. While the condition most commonly affects the big toe, it can occur on any toenail and may worsen if not properly treated.
Ongoing irritation can cause the skin to break down over time, increasing the risk of infection and making everyday activities more difficult.
Common Causes of Ingrown nails
Ingrown toenails typically develop when normal nail growth is disrupted by ongoing mechanical pressure, anatomical factors, or improper trimming practices. These influences can cause the nail edge to curve or press into the surrounding soft tissue, leading to irritation, inflammation, and progressive discomfort over time.
Improper Nail Trimming
Cutting nails too short or rounding the edges may cause the nail to grow into the surrounding skin.
Toe or Nail Structure
Certain nail shapes or anatomical characteristics of the toe may predispose individuals to ingrown toenails.
Footwear Pressure
Shoes that are narrow or ill-fitting can place ongoing stress on the toes, increasing the risk of nail irritation.
Repetitive Stress or Injury
Ongoing pressure or trauma to the toe can disrupt normal nail growth and contribute to inflammation.
Improper Nail Trimming
Cutting nails too short or rounding the edges may cause the nail to grow into the surrounding skin.
Toe or Nail Structure
Certain nail shapes or anatomical characteristics of the toe may predispose individuals to ingrown toenails.
Footwear Pressure
Shoes that are narrow or ill-fitting can place ongoing stress on the toes, increasing the risk of nail irritation.
Repetitive Stress or Injury
Ongoing pressure or trauma to the toe can disrupt normal nail growth and contribute to inflammation.
Progression of Ingrown nail Symptoms
Ingrown nails often begin with localized irritation where the nail edge presses into the surrounding skin. Early symptoms may include tenderness, sensitivity, or discomfort with pressure.
As the condition progresses, swelling, redness, and persistent pain may develop. In more advanced cases, the skin may break down, increasing the risk of infection and drainage. These changes can interfere with walking, footwear comfort, and daily activities.
Progression of Ingrown nail Symptoms
Ingrown nails often begin with localized irritation where the nail edge presses into the surrounding skin. Early symptoms may include tenderness, sensitivity, or discomfort with pressure.
As the condition progresses, swelling, redness, and persistent pain may develop. In more advanced cases, the skin may break down, increasing the risk of infection and drainage. These changes can interfere with walking, footwear comfort, and daily activities.
TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY
TARGETED SOLUTIONS FOR INGROWN NAILS
Ingrown nails can cause ongoing discomfort when pressure, inflammation, or abnormal nail growth continues to irritate the surrounding skin. Effective treatment begins with identifying contributing factors and selecting options that address both immediate symptoms and long-term nail health.
Care may focus on relieving pressure along the nail border, calming irritated tissue, and guiding the nail to grow in a healthier direction. Each treatment plan is tailored to restore comfort, prevent recurrence, and help patients return to daily activities without pain.
Conservative Care:
- Careful trimming and reshaping of the nail
- Footwear modifications to reduce pressure on the toe
- Soaking and topical treatments to soothe irritated tissue
- Protective padding to relieve localized stress
Surgical Solutions:
- Partial nail removal to address the affected portion
- Matrix treatment to prevent regrowth in problematic areas
- Minimally invasive procedures performed in-office
TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY
TARGETED SOLUTIONS FOR INGROWN NAILS
Ingrown nails can cause ongoing discomfort when pressure, inflammation, or abnormal nail growth continues to irritate the surrounding skin. Effective treatment begins with identifying contributing factors and selecting options that address both immediate symptoms and long-term nail health.
Care may focus on relieving pressure along the nail border, calming irritated tissue, and guiding the nail to grow in a healthier direction. Each treatment plan is tailored to restore comfort, prevent recurrence, and help patients return to daily activities without pain.
Conservative Care:
- Careful trimming and reshaping of the nail
- Footwear modifications to reduce pressure on the toe
- Soaking and topical treatments to soothe irritated tissue
- Protective padding to relieve localized stress
Surgical Solutions:
- Partial nail removal to address the affected portion
- Matrix treatment to prevent regrowth in problematic areas
- Minimally invasive procedures performed in-office
TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY
TARGETED SOLUTIONS FOR INGROWN NAILS
Ingrown nails can cause ongoing discomfort when pressure, inflammation, or abnormal nail growth continues to irritate the surrounding skin. Effective treatment begins with identifying contributing factors and selecting options that address both immediate symptoms and long-term nail health.
Care may focus on relieving pressure along the nail border, calming irritated tissue, and guiding the nail to grow in a healthier direction. Each treatment plan is tailored to restore comfort, prevent recurrence, and help patients return to daily activities without pain.
Conservative Care:
- Careful trimming and reshaping of the nail
- Footwear modifications to reduce pressure on the toe
- Soaking and topical treatments to soothe irritated tissue
- Protective padding to relieve localized stress
Surgical Solutions:
- Partial nail removal to address the affected portion
- Matrix treatment to prevent regrowth in problematic areas
- Minimally invasive procedures performed in-office