Experiencing pain or discomfort due to ingrown toenails? These can worsen and lead to infections. But you don't have to live in pain and you can prevent infections caused by ingrown toenails. Culver City Foot Doctor J. Leonard Knudson, DPM is here to help. At his practice, the Associated Foot Care Clinic, Inc., he offers ingrown toenail treatment to relieve patients from the pain and its underlying cause.
Culver City Foot Doctor's Ingrown Toenail Treatment Services
Ingrown toenails are when the edges or corners of the nails start growing into the skin next to them. The big toe is the most common site of ingrown toenails. These can be treated at home, but then when done improperly or in an unsanitary or unhygienic way, complications can occur such as wounds or infections. For those with diabetes or other conditions that cause poor circulation, complications due to ingrown toenails, wounds or infection are much more likely. This is why ingrown toenail treatment by medical professionals is recommended.
Ingrown Toenail Causes
This condition occurs in men and women and tend to be caused by:
Cutting toenails incorrectly, particularly angling the sides of the nail which can encourage the nail to grow into the skin.
Irregular or curved toenails.
Tight footwear that puts pressure on the big toes.
Toenail injuries, from accidents or athletic activities where the feet receive pressure for long periods of time.
Poor posture.
Improper hygiene including not keeping feet dry or clean.
Ingrown Toenail Complications
Symptoms of ingrown toenails include:
Hardening or swelling of the skin next to the nail.
Pain when there is pressure on the toe.
Fluid buildup around the toe.
When there is an infection, the signs include:
Redness and swelling of the skin
Pain
Bleeding
Oozing discharges
Overgrowth of the skin surrounding the toe.
Ingrown Toenail Treatment Options
After a physical exam diagnosis for the ingrown toenail or possibly an X-ray in the case of infections or injuries, treatment can commence. These can include antibiotics, as well as surgical options.
Partial nail removal involves taking out the piece of nail that is digging into the skin. The doctor will numb the toe and narrow the toenail. The side of the nail digging into the skin will be cut off.
In severe cases total nail removal may be performed. This is for when the ingrown nail is caused by thickening. A local anesthesia will be used and the entire nail will be removed in a matrixectomy.
After the surgery, patients will be sent home with their toe bandaged. The foot should be raised for the next two days, special footwear may be required to facilitate proper healing. Pain medication and antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent infection. The toenail will grow back in a few months after partial nail removal surgery. For total nail removal, the toenail may take over a year to grow back.
Get your ingrown toenail treated before complications arise.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. J. Leonard Knudson - a Culver City Foot Doctor for treatment.
Dr. J. Leonard Knudson is a Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Culver City and near West Los Angeles. We also tend to patients from nearby - UCLA, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica and the West Los Angeles area.
Associated Foot Care Clinic, Inc.
A Podiatrist Group. Since 1982. Foot and Ankle Specialists.
310-876-1579
Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm