An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail corners or sides dig painfully into the skin. This digging in of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe. This may seem harmless enough at first, but once an ingrown nail causes a break in your skin, bacteria can cause an infection.
With the presence of an infection, you may notice drainage from the area, as well as a foul odor.
You could have a full-blown infection and not even know it. That's where podiatrists come in.
Please call us if there's any possibility of infection, especially if you have a medical condition that puts your feet at high risk for losing a limb, such as diabetes, nerve damage in the foot, poor circulation, or peripheral neuropathy.
Repeated trimming can make your condition worse and no over the counter topical treatments will do the job. A simple office procedure will ease your pain and give us the chance to start treating your infection right away.
Ingrown toenails are usually caused by cutting your nails too short or by a change in the shape of your nail. The problem can often be prevented by trimming toenails straight across, selecting the proper shoe style and sizes- and by letting us treat you in a timely manner.
Remember, we're always here to help.
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Podiatrists in CT
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